— We're having good conversations. We are in talks with Russia. Ukraine is doing well. I think she is very pleased (…) We are making progress, the president told reporters aboard Air Force One.
He said that there is no deadline for reaching an agreement. — I don't have a deadline. Do you know what my deadline is? When this is over, Trump said.
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What is the deadline for Ukraine on the peace plan?
Is Ukraine satisfied with the peace project?
What does Trump think about Russia's concessions?
What are the topics of Trump's talks with Russia?
Earlier, the president announced that Thursday, when Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US, is the final date for the acceptance of the peace proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump added that the Ukrainian leader would like to meet with him, but first an agreement to end the war should be reached. He informed that talks were underway on territories and “making order on the border” and emphasized that it was a complicated process.
Donald Trump: Russia is making concessions
He assured that “this is a good agreement for both sides” and noted that the 28-point proposal presented by the US is a “map, a concept” that is being worked on. Trump also announced that Europe will be seriously involved in security guarantees for Ukraine.
The US president expressed his belief that Russia “is making concessions”, and the main thing, according to him, is that “they will stop fighting and will not conquer any more territory.” Trump said his envoy Steve Witkoff will likely meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week.
Trump on Witkoff and Ushakov's recorded conversation: that's what a negotiator does
Trump was also asked about Tuesday's publication by Bloomberg. The website reported that it had received a transcript of Witkoff's October conversation with Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov, which allegedly showed that Witkoff advised the Russian on how to approach Trump before his meeting with Zelensky and suggested that Putin call the US president. Witkoff also allegedly said that he had deep respect for Putin and that he believed that Russia always wanted a peace deal. He advised Ushakov that the Russian leader should congratulate Trump on making peace in the Gaza Strip, praise him as a “man of peace” and suggest that a similar plan be applied to Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, Ushakov agreed with some of the advice.
— This is what a negotiator does (…) This is a very standard form of negotiation, Trump emphasized in a conversation with reporters on Tuesday. He noted that he had not heard this recording. – I expect that he also says similar things to Ukraine – he added.
When asked whether he thought Witkoff was too pro-Russian, he replied: – This war could last for years. Russia has many more people, more soldiers. If Ukraine can make a deal, that's good. I think it's good for both sides.
