US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Image:Â AP.
(The Post News)– Following a nearly 90-minute phone conversation on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have decided to meet. Since February 2022, when Putin last spoke with then-President Joe Biden shortly before the invasion of Ukraine, this is his first known direct discussion with a serving U.S. president.
According to the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders talked about a number of topics, including Ukraine, bilateral relations, the Middle East, and a potential prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia. According to TASS, the Russian state news agency, Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, though no details regarding the location or timing of a potential summit have been confirmed.
Meanwhile, according to reports, they are both considering Saudi Arabia as a potential meeting location. Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to host this crucial discussion because of its neutral stance in the current war in Ukraine and its diplomatic connections to both Washington and Moscow. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has played a key role in promoting communication between the United States and Russia by maintaining close ties with both governments. “We know the crown prince; I think it would be a very good place to meet,” Trump said, acknowledging the significance of the position.
Although he did not provide a timeframe, Trump said the summit would take place “not in the too distant future.” His remarks were made soon after he spoke with Putin on the phone. There were no conditions attached to the possible meeting, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
If it takes place, the summit would be the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since President Joe Biden’s meeting with Putin in June 2021. Biden and Putin have not spoken since February 2022, just before Russia launched its military offensive against Ukraine.
Trump also had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the discussion with Putin. This was confirmed by Vice President J.D. Vance in an announcement as he prepares to travel to Ukraine this week for the Munich Security Conference. As part of larger talks, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also travelling to Ukraine to talk about U.S. access to the vital minerals in the nation. As the situation develops, more details regarding the Trump-Putin meeting are expected to emerge.
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