"I have no message for President Vladimir Putin. He knows my position and will make his own decision," US President Donald Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on 3/9, during a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Karol Nawrocki.
"Whatever his decision, we will either be satisfied or not. If we're not satisfied, you'll see something happen," the White House chief continued, without specifying what that might be.
President Trump dismissed suggestions that he is soft on Russia. He cited the secondary sanctions against India for buying Russian oil and hinted at further steps.
"You call that doing nothing? I haven't even implemented phases two and three," Trump said.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 3/9. Photo: AFP |
US President Donald Trump at the White House on 3/9. Photo: AFP
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has intensified his mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine, but so far without a breakthrough. He held a summit with Putin in Alaska and later met with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
These events raised hopes for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky to discuss options for ending the conflict. However, subsequent developments suggest the prospect of such a meeting is fragile.
On 3/9, President Putin said the parties have an opportunity to end the war in Ukraine through negotiations "if common sense prevails," but also warned that Moscow is ready to end the war by force if that's the only way.
The Kremlin chief declared his readiness to meet with Zelensky if the Ukrainian leader comes to Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called this an "unacceptable" proposal.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)
