Donald Trump has revealed that arrangements are being made for a meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the timeline remains unclear, the former US president expressed his intention to move forward with discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“He wants to meet, and we are setting it up,” Trump stated at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Meanwhile, Russian news agency Tass cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed that no formal meeting request has been received from the United States.
Focus on Ending the Ukraine War
Trump has committed to prioritizing an end to the Ukraine conflict, promising swift action if he takes office again. His approach includes reassessing US military and financial aid to Kyiv.
“President Putin wants to meet,” Trump reiterated during his remarks. “He has said that publicly, and we must put an end to this war—it’s a bloody mess.”
To facilitate negotiations, Trump has nominated Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant-general and former national security adviser, as a special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a proponent of Trump’s foreign policy strategies, outlined his vision for resolving the conflict in a research paper published by the America First Policy Institute.
A Conditional Approach to US Aid
Kellogg’s proposal advocates tying future US assistance to Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia. However, the paper also emphasized continued support for Kyiv if Moscow declines to participate in negotiations.
Following Trump’s election victory in November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about the potential for a quicker resolution to the war under Trump’s leadership. He described a recent phone call with Trump as “constructive,” though he did not disclose whether specific conditions for talks were discussed.
As preparations for the meeting progress, Trump’s stance reflects his determination to broker peace while reevaluating the United States’ role in the conflict.
