8 hours agoTrump: Zelensky “will be included” in peace talks
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)United States President Donald Trump said Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, “will be included” in negotiations to end his country's occupation by Russia, while adding that “too soon” could meet even with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “There is no specific time, but it can happen very quickly”, [...]
“There is no specific time, but it can happen very soon”, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
I think he wants to end [war]. They want to end it quickly. Both of you. Zelensky said February 16th.
Addressing reporters on the same day, at a sports event in Florida, Trump said Zelensky “would be included” in peace talks.
Last week there were concerns that Washington could reach agreement with Russia, bypassing Kiev and Europe.
Bloomberg, quoting unidentified officials, reported on February 16th that Trump wants to secure a ceasefire until the Easter Festival, which falls on April 20th of this year.
Comments come at a time when American leaders are preparing for talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Middle Eastern negotiator Steve Whitoff, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will also attend, the White House announced.
“We hope to make a really good progress”, Witkoff told Fox News.
Trump told reporters his team had long and difficult “talks with Russian officials, and that Witkoff, late, has talked to Putin for about three hours.
Speaking of CBS, Rubio, who arrived in Israel on February 15th, said the coming days would determine whether Putin is serious about peace in Ukraine.
Zelensky arrived in the Middle East on 16 February, but Kiev said his visit to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is aimed at boosting economic ties and that there are no plans to meet with American or Russian officials.
Zelensky's top adviser, Mykhaylo Podolyak, said that “has no negotiator who will represent Ukraine in Saudi Arabia” in peace talks.
“Today, there is nothing at the negotiating table that can be discussed. Russia is not ready for negotiations”, he told Ukraine's Television.
Earlier, Zelensky said he would not engage in negotiations before meeting with allies including European leaders to develop a strategy.
Rubio and other American officials stressed that Ukraine and other European countries will be involved in any meaningful negotiations, if such are to be held. / REL
