WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump mentioned on Saturday (Aug 16) Ukraine ought to agree a deal to finish the battle with Russia as a result of “Russia is a really huge energy, they usually’re not”, after holding a summit with President Vladimir Putin that didn’t yield a ceasefire.
In a serious shift, Trump additionally mentioned he had agreed with Putin that one of the best ways to finish the battle was to go straight to a peace settlement – not through a ceasefire, as Ukraine and its European allies, till now with US assist, have been demanding.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned he would journey to Washington on Monday to debate subsequent steps, whereas Kyiv’s European allies welcomed Trump’s efforts however vowed to again Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia, and once more urged the US to supply safety ensures for Ukraine.
Trump met Putin for almost three hours in Alaska on Friday on the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“It was decided by all that one of the best ways to finish the horrific battle between Russia and Ukraine is to go on to a Peace Settlement, which might finish the battle, and never a mere Ceasefire Settlement, which regularly instances don’t maintain up,” Trump posted on Fact social.
RUSSIA LIKELY TO WELCOME TRUMP’S UKRAINE SHIFT
That assertion might be welcomed in Moscow, which says it needs a full settlement – not a pause – however that this might be advanced as a result of positions are “diametrically opposed”.
Russia’s forces have been progressively advancing for months. The battle – the deadliest in Europe for 80 years – has killed or wounded effectively over one million folks from each side, together with 1000’s of largely Ukrainian civilians, in line with analysts.
Earlier than the summit, Trump had mentioned he wouldn’t be glad until a ceasefire was agreed on. However afterwards he mentioned that, after his talks with Zelenskyy, “if all works out, we’ll then schedule a gathering with President Putin”.
Monday’s talks might be held within the White Home Oval Workplace, the place Trump and Vice President JD Vance gave the Ukrainian chief a brutal public dressing-down in February, accusing him of ingratitude.
Zelenskyy mentioned after a prolonged dialog with Trump following the Alaska summit that he supported the concept of a three-way assembly.
“Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with most effort to attain peace,” he wrote on social media.
However Putin made no point out of assembly Zelenskyy when chatting with reporters. His aide Yuri Ushakov informed the Russian state information company TASS a three-way summit had not been mentioned.
NEED FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR UKRAINE
In an interview with Fox Information’ Sean Hannity, Trump signalled that he and Putin had mentioned potential land swaps and safety ensures for Ukraine.
“I feel these are factors that we negotiated, and people are factors that we largely have agreed on,” Trump mentioned.
“I feel we’re fairly near a deal,” he mentioned, including: “Ukraine has to conform to it. Possibly they’re going to say no.”
When requested by Hannity what he would advise Zelenskyy, Trump mentioned: “Gotta make a deal.”
“Look, Russia is a really huge energy, they usually’re not. They’re nice troopers,” he added.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly underlined the significance of safety ensures for Kyiv as a part of any deal, to discourage Russia from launching a brand new invasion in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
“We additionally mentioned optimistic indicators from the American aspect relating to participation in guaranteeing Ukraine’s safety,” he mentioned after his name with Trump.
Earlier than the summit, Trump had set the purpose of agreeing on a ceasefire within the battle and mentioned he wouldn’t be glad with out it.
Putin signalled no motion in Russia’s long-held positions on the battle, however mentioned he agreed with Trump that Ukraine’s safety have to be “ensured”.
“We’re able to work on this. I want to hope that the understanding we now have reached will enable us to get nearer to that purpose and open the best way to peace in Ukraine,” Putin mentioned at a quick media look after the summit the place neither chief took questions.
He added: “We count on that Kyiv and the European capitals will understand all of this in a constructive method and won’t create any obstacles. That they won’t try to disrupt the rising progress by provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue.”
For Putin, the actual fact of sitting down face-to-face with the US president represented a diplomatic victory. The Kremlin chief had been ostracised by Western leaders for the reason that begin of the battle, and only a week earlier had been going through a risk of recent sanctions from Trump.
