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Trump on Putin talks: ‘I'm not going to make a deal'

Trump on Putin talks: ‘I'm not going to make a deal'

Qatar Tribune3 days ago
US President Donald Trump is not aiming for an agreement on the Ukraine war from his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin: 'I'm not going to make a deal,' he said on Monday at a press conference in Washington.
'I'm not going to make a deal. It's not up to me to make a deal. I think a deal should be made for both [sides],' Trump said.
Trump said he wants Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet after the upcoming summit on Friday.
'The next meeting will be with Zelensky and Putin, or Zelensky, and Putin and me. I'll be there if they need, but I want to have a meeting set up between the two leaders,' Trump said.
Trump said he will call Zelensky and European leaders 'right after the meeting' with Putin.
Trump had earlier portrayed the meeting in Alaska as an attempt to get closer to ending the fighting in Ukraine.
In this context, he spoke of a possible territorial exchange between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine strictly rejects territorial concessions.
Zelensky indirectly emphasized in his evening video address that he would not accept a deal on territorial exchange. 'We will definitely defend our country and our independence,' he stressed. (DPA)
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