US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would soon meet Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The leaders are to hold talks in Hungary. “We will see if we can put an end to this 'inglorious' war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump emphasized.
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Shortly after the American leader's entry, Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov spoke and announced that Russia and the United States would quickly start preparations for the meeting of the leaders of both countries in Budapest.
Ushakov added that in connection with this, a conversation between Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Marco Rubio will be held in the coming days. He also said that Thursday's conversation between Putin and Trump took place on the initiative of the Russian leader. During it, both politicians agreed to meet in person in Budapest.
According to him, Trump allegedly told Putin that Russia's war with Ukraine was the most difficult of all wars to resolve, but ending it would open up “incredible opportunities for economic cooperation with Russia.” Ushakov added that Putin also warned Trump that the possible transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would not change the situation on the battlefield, but would harm Russian-American relations and the peace process.
Donald Trump: I could say yes
Trump's conversation with Putin took place a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House, during which the leaders are to discuss the sale of American Tomahawk cruise missiles.
On Sunday, Donald Trump said that before he makes a decision on this matter, he will have to talk to the Russian leader because such a step would constitute a “new phase of aggression.” He said then that he had informed Zelensky about his intention to talk to Putin.
— First, I would talk to Putin and I could say: “Listen, if this war is not resolved, I will send them Tomahawks,” the US president emphasized.
