Trump calls for permanent ceasefire in Ukraine: White House reacts to Putin's new truce proposal
Photo: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is calling for a complete ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, but it is a difficult matter, says the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at a briefing.
The journalists asked Leavitt to elaborate on Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Vatican, and whether it altered the negotiations.
“The president (Trump - ed.) talked about this after the meeting himself yesterday when he took questions from reporters on Air Force One. He thinks that he is increasingly frustrated with the leaders of both countries. He wants a permanent ceasefire,” Leavitt said.
She also drew attention to the fact that Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire today.
“The president (Trump - ed.) has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire first to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed. And while he remains optimistic he can strike a deal, he is also being realistic as well,” she said.
According to her, Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy shows that he is putting a lot of effort and time into the ceasefire. Because Trump wants to be a “peacemaker president,” as he was in his first term.
“He intends to do that again. And this is an incredibly difficult situation and conflict,” Leavitt said.
A new truce proposal from Putin
Putin announced today a temporary truce on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day “for humanitarian reasons”.
It will last from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. During this time, the Russian side promises to stop all hostilities.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting
On Saturday, April 26, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump. The meeting took place in Rome during the funeral of Pope Francis.
The White House said the leaders had a “productive meeting.”
Zelenskyy also called the meeting with Trump productive, noting that they discussed sensitive issues.
RBC-Ukraine has collected everything known about the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump.
