Trump: Putin made a very promising but incomplete statement on Ukraine
US President Donald Trump on Thursday described his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s statement as “very promising” but “incomplete” regarding a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
Putin had previously said that his country supports the truce proposed by Washington, but that there were subtle disagreements, and serious questions that remained unresolved and required communication with the Americans, and perhaps Trump himself.
In response to a question about Putin’s position, the US president said during his reception of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Putin “made a very promising but incomplete statement,” adding, “I would be happy to meet him or speak to him. But we have to get this over with quickly”.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Russia on Thursday, where he is scheduled to meet with officials to discuss a US proposal, approved by Ukraine, for a 30-day ceasefire in the war.
The US President warned that Russia’s rejection of the truce proposal would be a moment of deep disappointment for the world.
Trump said, “Many details have been discussed in the final agreement… Now we will see if Russia is present (in agreement), and if not, that will be a great disappointment to the world”.
The US president hinted at what negotiations for a long-term peace in Ukraine would entail, including the territory Kyiv would have to cede to Moscow, which launched the war in early 2022.
“We weren’t working in secret… We were discussing with Ukraine what territory and areas they would keep or lose,” Trump said, adding, “There’s a big power plant… Who’s going to get that plant?”
Trump didn’t specify his destination, but it’s likely he was referring to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
Russia currently controls this plant, which is located in one of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow declared its annexation after the war began, although it doesn’t fully control it on the ground.
He added, “Many details were discussed regarding the final agreement,” stressing that “the first stage is a ceasefire”.
