Putin Ready To End Ukraine War? Trump Says Yes But Downplays Talks Of Immediate Ceasefire

(MENAFN- Live Mint) On the eve of his Friday summit with Vladimir Putin, United States President Donald Trump said he believes the Russian President is ready to end the war in Ukraine, but added that achieving peace would likely require a second meeting that includes Ukraine's President Zelensky. Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine in February of 2022 and if Putin and Zelensky meet to talk ceasefire, it would be the first time since the Ukraine war started.

While Donald Trump said he was hopeful about the Ukraine war reaching its end ahead of his talks with Putin in Alaska, he downplayed immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies have intensified their efforts this week to prevent any deal between the US and Russia emerging from Friday's summit in Alaska that leaves Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.

Also Read | US Senator maps out how India can influence Russia-Ukraine war: 'Hope PM Modi...'

“I think President Putin will make peace, I think President Zelensky will make peace. We'll see if they get along,” Donald Trump said.

Speculating involvement of more European leaders, Donald Trump said,“I think it's going to be a good meeting, but the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having. We're going to have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelenskiy, myself, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders along. Maybe not. I don't know that.”

Also Read | 'US politicians don't care about India': Jeffrey Sachs on Trump tariffs Trump-Putin meeting

Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to have their first meeting since 2021 during their Alaska summit on Friday, which could discuss ways to end Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"It is probably obvious to everyone that the central topic will be the resolution of the Ukraine crisis," according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. He added,“Of course, broader issues of ensuring peace and security, as well as pressing international and regional issues, will also be addressed.”

Ushakov further mentioned the discussion is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am (1930 GMT) and will be conducted "one-on-one" between Putin and Trump, with only presence of their interpreters. "This will be followed by negotiations between the delegations, which will continue over a working breakfast," Ushakov said.

(With inputs from AFP)

MENAFN14082025007365015876ID1109931961