Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire for an urgent meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
During his address at the Turning Point’s America Fest convention, Trump stated that “President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible.” He emphasised the necessity of ending the war, describing it as “horrible, horrible.”
As Trump prepares to assume office in January, he reiterated his campaign promise to swiftly resolve the conflict, claiming he could do so within 24 hours of being elected. The president-elect has recently voiced criticism of President Joe Biden’s policy shift, which permitted Ukraine to employ U.S.-provided weaponry for strikes within Russian borders.
Trump also hinted at a potential reduction in military assistance to Ukraine once he takes office. His statement comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which heavily relies on international support for its military operations, financial stability, and humanitarian needs as it continues to resist Russian aggression after nearly three years of conflict.
“The number of soldiers being killed… It’s a flat plane, and the bullets are going, and there are powerful bullets, powerful guns. The only thing that’s going to stop them is a human body,” Trump added, describing the brutal nature of the conflict.
Earlier this month, Trump participated in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, coinciding with the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Following this encounter, Trump advocated for an “immediate ceasefire.”