Donald Trump might meet Vladimir Putin in individual as early as subsequent week to debate a ceasefire in Ukraine, a White Home official has mentioned.
They mentioned the assembly could be conditional on the Russian president assembly his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sky Information’s US companion community NBC Information reported.
It got here days earlier than the White Home’s deadline for Russia to succeed in a peace cope with Ukraine or face extreme financial penalties, which might additionally goal international locations shopping for its oil.
Requested throughout a information convention on the White Home if the talks would happen, Mr Trump mentioned: “There’s an excellent prospect that they are going to.”
He mentioned it had not been decided the place the talks would happen, however added: “We had some excellent talks with President Putin at the moment.”
Nevertheless, he mentioned: “I have been upset earlier than with this one.”
Requested if Mr Putin made any form of concession to result in the event, Mr Trump didn’t give a lot away, however added: “We have been engaged on this a very long time. There are millions of younger folks dying, principally troopers, but additionally, you recognize, missiles being hit into Kyiv and different locations.”
Extra tariffs ‘might occur’
Mr Trump additionally mentioned he might announce additional tariffs on China just like the 25% he introduced on India over its purchases of Russian oil.
“May occur,” he mentioned, after saying he anticipated to announce extra secondary sanctions meant to strain Russia into ending its warfare with Ukraine.
Earlier, he imposed an extra 25% tariff on Indian items, on high of a earlier 25% tariff, over its continued purchases of Russian oil.
India’s overseas ministry spokesperson mentioned the extra tariffs have been “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”.
Vladimir Putin welcomes Steve Witkoff throughout a gathering in Moscow. Pic: Sputnik/Reuters
It got here after Mr Putin held talks with Mr Trump‘s particular envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, with the assembly lasting round three hours.
In a publish on Reality Social, Mr Trump mentioned Mr Witkoff “had a extremely productive assembly” with Mr Putin by which “nice progress was made”.
He mentioned he had up to date America’s European allies, and they’re going to work in the direction of an finish to the Russia-Ukraine warfare “within the days and weeks to come back”.
Correspondents in Washington and Moscow break down a busy day of diplomacy
‘The warfare should finish’
Mr Zelenskyy later mentioned he and Mr Trump spoke on the telephone after the assembly. He mentioned “European leaders additionally participated within the dialog” and “we mentioned what was mentioned in Moscow”.
He added: “Our frequent place with our companions is completely clear: The warfare should finish. All of us want lasting and dependable peace. Russia should finish the warfare that it began.”
Mr Zelenskyy later mentioned: “It appears that evidently Russia is now extra inclined to comply with a ceasefire.”
He added that the strain on Moscow “is working”, with out elaborating, and burdened it was vital to ensure Russia doesn’t “deceive us or the USA” with regards to “the main points” of a possible settlement.
