Trump seeks swift parley with Putin after Zelensky snub
Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to meet with Vladimir Putin following the failed talks between Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul. "As soon as we can set it up," Trump said.
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump wants to meet with Vladimir Putin after the unsuccessful Russia-Ukraine talks that were scheduled to occur in Turkey.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was prepared to meet with Putin, but the Russian president sent his representatives instead of attending in person.
- Trump stated that he understands Putin's decision not to attend.
During his visit to the Middle East, Donald Trump said that he wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible. "As soon as we can set it up," he said, as quoted by the "New York Post." Trump emphasized his eagerness to organize a meeting with the Russian president to expedite the peace process in Ukraine. He affirmed that they would follow through, expressing hope that a future agreement could be reached.
The U.S. President hoped that Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky would meet on Thursday in Turkey for the first round of personal negotiations intended to end the three-year war in Ukraine.
What happened to the Russia-Ukraine talks?
Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to meet; however, Vladimir Putin did not appear personally, instead sending his advisor Vladimir Medinsky to Istanbul. The delegation also included Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and the head of Russian military intelligence Igor Kostyukov. Zelensky, who was in Turkey for talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, called the makeup of the delegation "decorative" and stated that "there was no point" in going to Istanbul.
Trump expressed understanding for Putin's decision but emphasized his aim to reach an agreement.
