Call for Diplomacy: Trump Advocates for Zelenskyy and Putin to End Ukraine War
In a recent statement, US President Donald Trump emphasized the necessity for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to come together to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly three years. "I think that President Putin and President Zelenskyy are going to have to get together because we want to stop the killing of millions of people," Trump remarked to reporters at the White House on February 21.
Trump's comments came after he swore in Howard Lutnick as the new Secretary of Commerce. He expressed optimism for reaching a resolution, stating, "I think we have a chance to get the deal done. I had to make sure that Russia wanted to do it," referring to an impending meeting concerning the war in Ukraine involving high-ranking US and Russian diplomats in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, Trump announced that he would not be attending the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, which commemorate the end of World War II. He also hinted at a forthcoming minerals deal with Ukraine, saying, "I think we are pretty close. I think they want it. It's significant. It's a big deal."
Throughout the week, Trump has been actively seeking a resolution to the war, engaging in separate phone calls with both Zelenskyy and Putin. In response to Trump's comments about the minerals deal, President Zelenskyy acknowledged its potential impact in his own address, highlighting the importance of achieving a fair outcome and ensuring that it adds value to the relationship between Ukraine and the US.
Zelenskyy appears to be under pressure as Trump recently criticized his leadership, labeling him a dictator who risks losing his country if he fails to act swiftly. During his evening address, Zelenskyy mentioned that he spoke with leaders from several European nations, asserting that "Europe must and can do much more to ensure that peace is actually achieved."
Following conversations with the leaders of Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Croatia, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the potential to conclude the conflict with Russia. He underscored the necessity of clear proposals from Ukraine and its European partners to underpin a cohesive European strategy, noting that it is crucial to work collaboratively with the United States in this effort.
In summary, as diplomatic discussions unfold, the potential for progress hinges on decisive actions and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, coupled with the involvement of their international allies.
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