Trump says he'll know if Putin wants Ukraine peace deal in meeting
Speaking at a White House press briefing that he called to announce plans for a federal takeover of Washington's police force to help combat crime, Trump said, 'At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, I'll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made'.
He said he thought Friday's sitdown with Putin in Alaska would be 'really a feel-out meeting,' adding that 'it'll be good, but it might be bad'. He predicted he may say, 'Lots of luck, keep fighting. Or I may say, we can make a deal.'
Putin wants to lock in Russia's gains since invading Ukraine in February 2022, as Trump presses for a ceasefire that has remained out of reach. Trump's eagerness to reach a deal has raised fears in Ukraine and Europe about such an agreement favouring Russia, without sufficient input from Ukraine. Trump has alternately harshly criticised both leaders after promising — and so far failing — to swiftly end the conflict.
Trump-Putin meeting may not include Zelenskyy
Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was especially dismissive of Zelenskyy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace.
He said the Ukrainian president had been to 'a lot of meetings' without managing to halt a war that Russia started. Trump also noted that Zelenskyy had been in power for the duration of the war and said 'nothing happened' during that time. He contrasted that with Putin, who has wielded power in Russia for decades.
Trump said that, after his meeting with Putin, 'The next meeting will be with Zelenskyy and Putin' but it could also be a meeting with 'Putin and Zelenskyy and me.'
European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement, fearful that discussions could otherwise favor Moscow.
To that point, Trump said he would call Zelenskyy and European leaders after his discussion with Putin to 'tell them what kind of a deal — I'm not going to make a deal. It's not up to me to make a deal.'
Trump spent the early part of his administration decrying Zelenskyy, even suggesting he was a dictator because his country has not held elections during the war. Zelenskyy was hounded out of the Oval Office in February after Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggested he hadn't been grateful enough for U.S. support.
Trump's up-and-down relations with Putin
More recently, Trump has expressed frustration with Putin that Russia hasn't appeared to take a push for a ceasefire more seriously, and softened his tone toward Zelenskyy. His comments on Monday suggested he might have had another change of heart.
'President Putin invited me to get involved,' Trump said. He noted that he thought it was 'very respectful' that Putin is coming to the U.S. for Friday's meeting, instead of insisting that Trump go to Russia.
'I'd like to see a ceasefire. I'd like to see the best deal that can be made for both parties,' Trump said.
The president repeated that any major agreement could involve land swaps, without elaborating. He had threatened Moscow with more economic sanctions if more isn't done to work toward a ceasefire, but suggested Monday that, should Friday's meeting be successful, he could see a day when the U.S. and Russia normalize trade relations.
Putin is expected to be unwavering in his demands to keep all the territory his forces now occupy and to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, with the long-term aim of returning it to Moscow's sphere of influence.
Zelenskyy insists he will never consent to any formal Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory or give up a bid for NATO membership.
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