orld Trump suggests meeting Putin 'soon' as Saudi peace talks draw near
1. "I think he wants to end it, and they want to end it fast. Both of them," says Trump
US President Donald Trump has stated that he may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon," expressing confidence that Putin is genuinely interested in ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, AFP reported.
Speaking to reporters after a flight on Air Force One, Trump noted that while no specific date has been set, a meeting could take place in the near future.
His remarks came shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to temper expectations for the upcoming high-level peace talks in Riyadh, aimed at addressing the conflict.
Rubio is leading the U.S. delegation in discussions with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia as part of broader diplomatic efforts to end the war, which is approaching its third anniversary.
Trump highlighted that his team, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, has been engaged in ongoing talks with Russian officials. He pointed to a recent three-hour meeting between Witkoff and Putin as a sign of progress.
He further stated that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are eager for a swift resolution to the conflict.
However, Trump dismissed concerns raised by Zelensky, who recently warned that a weakened NATO could become a target for Russia if U.S. support for the alliance diminishes.
Downplaying Zelensky's remarks, Trump asserted that achieving peace would require more than a single meeting, echoing Rubio's acknowledgment of the complexity involved in resolving such a prolonged conflict.
Rubio also emphasized that "nothing has been finalized" regarding the negotiations, and it remains unclear whether Ukraine will have direct involvement in the talks.
Meanwhile, Trump and Putin agreed during a recent phone call to initiate ceasefire negotiations, though NATO allies and Ukraine have expressed skepticism.
