Trump: Zelensky and Putin “join” to end the war

US President Donald Trump has said that Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will need “to join” to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

I think President Putin and President Zelensky will have to get together. Because, you know what? We want to end the murders of millions of people”, Trump said in front of reporters at the White House, following the oath of Howard Lutnick as US Secretary of Commerce.

I think we have a chance to reach the deal. I've had to make sure that Russia wants it”, Trump said, referring to a meeting for the war in Ukraine, which was held this week between senior American and Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Trump has also said that he will not go to Moscow 9 May to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II, and that the United States is close to signing the mineral agreement with Ukraine.

We're close and I think they want this”, Trump said. “It's important, it's a big deal”, he said.

Three anonymous sources, close to developments, have told Reuters news agency that in the ongoing discussion of the mineral agreement, Washington has used the argument for the possibility of withdrawing Elon Mousk's Starlink system on Ukraine, unless reconciliation is reached.

Darya Kalenyuk, executive director of the Kiev Centre for Anti-corruption Action, has told Radio Free Europe that the system is vital for the protection of Ukraine.

It's very difficult to fight without access to Starlink”, Kalenyuk said.

Ukraine has deposits of 117 of the world's 120 most used minerals and metals.

Access to these resources can reach the value of trillion dollars in total.

Trump is making efforts to end the war in Ukraine and has held separate conversations with both leaders.

Speaking of the mineral deal, Zelensky has said he hopes something right will be achieved.

This is an agreement that can increase the value of our relationship, and the main thing is to analyze the details, so that it can function”, he said two days after Trump sharply criticised him, calling it “dator” that risks losing his country if “does not act fast”.

In his address on 21 February, Zelensky has said he has talked on the phone with leaders of several European countries.

“Europe must and can do much more to ensure that peace will be reached”, he said, following talks with leaders of Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Croatia.

He has said it would be possible to conclude the war, as Ukraine and partners in Europe have “clear proposals”.

“Over this base, we can guarantee the implementation of the European strategy, and it is important that this be done together with America”, he said among other things. / REL/