US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said he believes Putin “does care” about the number of fatalities during the Russia-Ukraine war.
“He wants to see people stop dying,” said Trump.
“All those dead people. Young, young, beautiful people. They’re like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason.”
“He wants to see people stop dying,” said Trump
GETTYDuring the interview, which took place onboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he had “better not say” how many times he and the Russian leader have spoken, claiming they have a “good relationship” with each other.
The US president previously vowed to end the invasion of Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, however he now hopes to end the war “fast”.
“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 said.
Earlier this week, Trump said that discussions about ending the war had “made a lot of progress”.
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On Friday, he told reporters that he would “probably” meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this coming week, and hinted at speaking with Putin as well.
Zelensky is set to lead Ukraine’s delegation at the Munich Security Conference, where US Vice President JD Vance and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg will be in attendance.
Earlier this week, Trump said he wanted to gain access to Ukraine’s supply of rare earth minerals in exchange for US aid.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval office, the US leader said: “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.”
The war in Ukraine will mark its third anniversary on February 24
REUTERS
He complained that Europe had not provided the same assistance to Ukraine as the US had.
Speaking to CNN earlier this week, the Kremlin denied any serious discussions about a possible meeting between Trump and Putin.
“They haven’t had any initial contact to discuss whether they need to meet or not and if they need, when and how,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The war in Ukraine will mark its third anniversary on February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
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