Trump Confirms Talks with Putin as Ukraine War Nears Third Anniversary
Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed in a recent interview that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine approaches its third anniversary.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump stated that Putin “wants to see people stop dying” but did not disclose details about the timing or frequency of their conversations. When pressed on how many times he had spoken with the Russian leader, Trump responded, “I better not say,” but described their relationship as “good.”
Calls for a Quick Resolution
Trump reiterated his stance on bringing the war to an end, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“I hope it’s fast. Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing,” he told the New York Post.
Trump has previously vowed to end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, though he has yet to outline a clear strategy on how he would achieve that.
Push for Peace Talks
During the interview, which took place while Trump was traveling to Florida on Air Force One, he instructed his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, to accelerate diplomatic discussions.
“They want to meet. Every day people are dying. Young handsome soldiers are being killed. Young men, like my sons. On both sides. All over the battlefield,” Trump said.
His comments came just days after he claimed that peace talks had “made a lot of progress.”
Possible Meetings with Zelensky and Putin
On Friday, Trump told reporters he would “probably” meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming week and hinted at a potential conversation with Putin.
“I will probably be meeting with President Zelensky next week, and I will probably be talking to President Putin,” Trump stated.
Zelensky is expected to attend the upcoming Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, are also scheduled to be present. However, Trump himself is not attending the conference.
Ukraine Aid Tied to Rare Earth Minerals
Earlier this week, Trump suggested that future U.S. support for Ukraine could be tied to securing access to the country’s rare earth minerals.
“We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things,” he said, expressing frustration that European nations had not provided Ukraine with the same level of assistance as the U.S.
This transactional approach sheds light on Trump’s broader strategy for handling the war. While he has repeatedly criticized the financial burden placed on the U.S. in supporting Kyiv, he has not explicitly stated whether he would continue or reduce aid to Ukraine.
Kremlin Response and Speculation on a Trump-Putin Meeting
Despite speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Putin, the Kremlin has downplayed the likelihood of immediate talks.
“They haven’t had any initial contact to discuss whether they need to meet or not, and if they need, when and how,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN.
However, a senior Russian lawmaker recently told state media that “advanced” preparations were underway for a potential meeting, possibly as soon as this month.
As the war drags on and geopolitical tensions remain high, Trump’s comments signal his willingness to engage in negotiations. However, questions remain about his ability to broker a swift resolution and how his approach would differ from the current administration’s strategy.
