He (Putin) wants to see people stop dying – Donald Trump
The war in Ukraine may be approaching a resolution as former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ending the conflict, according to an exclusive report from the New York Post.
During an interview aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged multiple discussions with the Russian leader but refrained from revealing specific details about their conversations or the number of times they had spoken.
“He (Putin) wants to see people stop dying,” Trump stated, reinforcing hopes that peace negotiations could soon take center stage.
The Kremlin’s response to Trump’s claims was cautious, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “Many different communications are emerging… I personally may not know something, be unaware of something.” The Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied Trump’s statements.
Sources indicate that discussions are advancing for a possible Trump-Putin summit, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates being considered as venues. Leonid Slutsky, head of Russia’s International Affairs Committee, suggested that preparations for such a meeting were at “an advanced stage”, with a potential timeline between February and March.
Meanwhile, a flurry of high-profile U.S. officials are heading to Europe in the coming days to discuss the conflict, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg.
Putin’s Conditions for Peace
On June 14, Putin laid out his conditions for ending the war, including:
- Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations.
- Ukrainian forces withdrawing from Russian-occupied territories.
While the Biden administration has maintained a hardline stance against territorial concessions, Trump’s team has signalled openness to negotiation tactics, including potential economic leverage through tariffs and sanctions.
Ukraine’s Position & Zelensky’s Role
Trump has also expressed intentions to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming days. Reports indicate that Ukraine is seeking to exchange rare earth minerals for continued U.S. financial support in its defence efforts.
While Kyiv and its Western allies have long denounced the Russian invasion as an imperial-style land grab, the possibility of renewed diplomatic talks suggests that Ukraine may be open to compromises that ensure stability and sovereignty.
Since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties and massive territorial shifts. Russia currently controls territory the size of Virginia and has been advancing at its fastest pace since early 2022.
While the exact timeline of negotiations remains unclear, Trump’s statements indicate that a diplomatic resolution could be within reach. However, the success of any agreement depends on Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate and the extent of Trump’s influence in brokering peace.
With global attention fixed on potential diplomatic breakthroughs, the world waits to see whether Trump and Putin’s discussions will finally bring an end to one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history.
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