US President Trump Hints at Direct Talks with Putin, Aims to End Ukraine Conflict
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may have already spoken directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating that serious discussions are underway regarding the Ukraine conflict. However, when pressed by reporters, Trump refused to confirm whether a conversation had taken place.
Trump, who assumed office on January 20, has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Putin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine crisis. The Kremlin has been awaiting clear signals from the White House before initiating such discussions. In a press conference at the White House on Friday, Trump hinted at potential significant progress in these talks.
“We’re having very serious discussions about that war, trying to get it ended,” Trump said. “We are having discussions with Russia.” He added, “I think we will, perhaps, do something that will be significant.”
When asked if he had already spoken with Putin or had a call scheduled, Trump declined to comment, stating, “I just don’t want to say that.” Despite his reluctance to confirm direct communication, Trump emphasized the seriousness of the discussions and his commitment to ending the conflict.
On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that no phone call between the two presidents was currently planned. He noted that all communication is presently taking place at the embassy level, indicating that while talks are ongoing, they have not yet reached the highest level of diplomacy.
Trump has pledged to negotiate a resolution to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, giving his Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, 100 days to broker such a settlement. Last week, Trump threatened to impose new sanctions if Russia refused to accept an unspecified “deal” to end the conflict but maintained that he is not looking to hurt Russia.
The US president’s hints at direct talks with Putin and his commitment to ending the Ukraine conflict signal a potential shift in US-Russia relations under his administration. As discussions continue, both sides remain cautious about revealing too much information, leaving the public eager for more details on the progress of these negotiations.