Former US president Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on 18/8 that he called president Putin after his meetings and began arranging a meeting between president Putin and president Zelensky at a location to be determined. He added that the Putin-Zelensky summit would be followed by a trilateral meeting between the leaders of the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
"This is a very good start towards ending a nearly 4-year war," Trump concluded his post. "Vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine. Thank you for your concern!"
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Former US president Donald Trump (left) and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP |
Former US president Donald Trump (left) and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP
Yuri Ushakov, president Putin's foreign policy advisor, confirmed that Putin and Trump spoke for about 40 minutes at the request of the former US president. Ushakov told reporters that both leaders supported continued direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and considered the possibility of upgrading the representatives in the delegations from Moscow and Kyiv.
According to AFP sources, Trump paused his meeting with Zelensky and European leaders at the White House to call Putin. The sources said Putin expressed his willingness to meet with Zelensky.
Axios reported that Trump expects the meeting to take place before the end of August.
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Ukrainian president Zelensky (left) and former US president Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP |
Ukrainian president Zelensky (left) and former US president Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP
The leaders of France, Finland, Italy, the UK, Germany, the president of the European Commission, the NATO secretary general, and president Zelensky met with Trump at the White House on 18/8 to discuss ways to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump described the meetings as "very good."
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, which will be provided by many European countries and coordinated with the US."
Finnish president Alexander Stubb said the meetings were "constructive" and they could begin discussing security guarantees for Ukraine the following week.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP, RIA Novosti)
