Trump Says Talks with Putin Were ‘Productive’, Hopes for End to Russia-Ukraine War
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that there is a “very good chance” the war between Russia and Ukraine could end soon. According to Reuters, Trump described his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “productive” and revealed that he asked Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who are reportedly surrounded by Russian forces.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.” However, Reuters reports that Trump did not speak directly with Putin on Thursday. Instead, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Russian leader in Moscow for a lengthy discussion.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters that Putin used the meeting to send “signals” to Trump through Witkoff. Both sides are now working on scheduling a phone call between Trump and Putin once Witkoff has briefed the U.S. president.
Trump has repeatedly called for a quick ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, warning that the conflict could escalate into a larger war if not resolved soon. Reuters highlights that the war has already caused significant loss of life on both sides and continues to threaten global stability.
The situation remains tense, with Ukrainian forces reportedly being pushed back from the Kursk region, their only foothold on Russian territory. Trump’s request for Putin to spare Ukrainian troops adds a humanitarian angle to the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
This story, as reported by Reuters, shows the complexities of international diplomacy and the high stakes involved in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. While Trump remains optimistic about a potential resolution, the path to peace is still uncertain.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Reuters and other trusted news sources.
Credit: Reuters for detailed reporting and expert analysis on this critical issue.