Donald Trump said Wednesday that Vladimir Putin would like to “end the war” in Ukraine. The statement comes a day later “a very good meeting” in Moscow between the Russian president and his emissary, businessman Steve Witkoff, who is to meet with Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov in Florida on Thursday, reports AFP.
Trump claims that Putin “wants to end the war” in Ukraine PHOTO: AFP
For two weeks, Washington has been trying to outline a plan to stop the conflict triggered by the Russian invasion in February 2022. Finding a compromise, however, remains complicated, as Russia continues to advance slowly on the front despite considerable losses.
On Thursday, new talks are scheduled in the Miami area between Umerov and Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. The two Americans spent over five hours at the negotiating table with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.
Donald Trump said Wednesday that Witkoff and Kushner had “the impression” that the Kremlin leader “he wanted to end the war”, without specifying details about the steps that will follow. “What will result from this meeting? I can't tell you“, said the American president, quoted by News.ro.
Moscow, encouraged by the progress on the front
Putin's diplomatic advisor, Yuri Ushakov, stated that the recent “SUCCESSES” of the Russian army influenced the atmosphere of the discussions, referring to the conquest of the city of Pokrovsk, claimed by Moscow.
Military observers of the DeepState project have confirmed that a large part of the city is controlled by Russia, but not all of it. At the same time, the Ukrainian unit defending the area claims that Russian forces are “blocked” in urban fighting and “misinforming” regarding “alleged conquest of Pokrovsk“.
The American plan, initially criticized in Europe for the alleged proximity to Moscow's positions, was revised after consultations with Kiev.
NATO support and pressure on Russia
At a meeting on Wednesday, in Brussels, several NATO countries, including Norway, Poland and Germany, announced purchases of American weapons worth approximately one billion euros to support Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Alliance must ensure that “Ukraine is in the strongest possible position to continue the fight”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again insisted that “negotiations must be accompanied by pressure on Russia“.
Also, Ursula von der Leyen presented the EU financing plan for Ukraine for the next two years, to place it “in a position of strength” at the discussion table.
The territorial dilemma and diplomatic tensions
The lack of agreement is mainly due to the territorial dispute. Moscow insists that Kyiv hand over the entire Donetsk region, the epicenter of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, to it.
Also on Wednesday, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution asking Russia to “guarantee the return” to Ukrainian children”forcibly transferred or deported” in Russia.
The Kremlin declared “DISPOSED” to meet “as often as necessary” with American officials to find a political solution.
Just a few hours before his discussion with Witkoff and Kushner, however, Putin attacked European states, accusing them of trying to “prevent” peace efforts. “We don't intend to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants it and starts, we are ready right now”said the Russian leader.
These statements demonstrate that the Russian president “he doesn't take peace seriously“, reacted the spokesman of the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
