Trump states that US 'makes progress' in negotiations to end Russia-Ukraine war
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump believes that the US has made progress in negotiations regarding the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the American leader refused to disclose any details of the discussions he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Reuters.
Western media note that, considering the US president's statement during a conversation with journalists aboard Air Force One about contacting the Kremlin leader, this would mark the first officially acknowledged conversation between Putin and a US president since early 2022.
When asked if he had spoken to Putin after becoming president on January 20 or earlier, Trump confirmed the interaction.
"I’ve had it. Let’s just say I’ve had it...And I expect to have many more conversations. We have to get that war ended," said the US president.
Trump also added, “If we are talking, I don’t want to tell you about the conversations.”
"I do believe we’re making progress. We want to stop the Ukraine-Russia war," he said.
Additionally, Trump stated that the US is maintaining contact with both Russia and Ukraine.
"We're talking to both sides," the American leader remarked.
Trump could have negotiated with Putin and revealed the US idea on security guarantees for Ukraine
Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, the new US president has yet to publicly announce how he plans to achieve this.
At the same time, there have been statements from the American leader about the intention to strengthen sanctions against Russia. Recently, it became known that Trump aims to sign a $500 million deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding access to rare earth minerals and gas in Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.
Specifically, the US president mentioned this during an interview with The New York Post in a conversation with journalists on Friday. At that time, Trump had already spoken to Putin on the phone. He also stated that he has a concrete plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
On February 9, the White House neither confirmed nor denied Trump's statement about a phone call with Putin.
On Friday, Trump said that next week he is likely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss issues related to ending the war.
Earlier, Zelenskyy told Western media that he wants Ukraine to supply rare earth minerals and other resources to the US in exchange for financial and defense assistance.
Zelenskyy had previously stated that these resources are strategically valuable and could strengthen Ukraine. As part of the victory plan, Ukraine proposed to the US and other Western allies to sign an agreement to protect these critical resources, along with joint investment and the use of economic potential.
