INTERNATIONAL
Trump says he will meet with Ukraine's Zelenskiy, deal 'reasonably close'
US President Donald Trump says a Ukraine peace deal is now close as he claims both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may be ready to negotiate an end to the war. - REUTERS/Filepic
DAVOS, Switzerland: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Switzerland, adding that he felt Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin were now at a point where they could reach a deal to end the war.
AI Brief
Trump said he was dealing with Putin, who he said wanted to make a deal to end the nearly four-year-old war, adding that he thought Zelenskiy was also ready to reach an agreement.
Both leaders backed away from an agreement before, but a deal was now "reasonably close," Trump said in a discussion after his prepared remarks to world leaders and business executives in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump twice said he would meet with Zelenskiy later on Wednesday, a fact disputed by a source familiar with Zelenskiy's schedule, but later said the meeting was planned for Thursday.
Ukraine will mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24.
'WE HAVE TO GET IT STOPPED': TRUMP
Trump said he had expected to negotiate a deal to end the war sooner, but there was "abnormal hatred" between the two leaders. Last week, Trump told Reuters that Zelenskiy was the main impediment to reaching an agreement.
On Wednesday, he said Washington was getting closer to brokering a ceasefire agreement.
"I think I can say that we're reasonably close," he said. "We have to get it stopped ... I believe they're at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don't, they're stupid."
Trump told reporters that Putin had accepted his invitation to join his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, but the Russian leader said Moscow was still studying the proposal and would respond in due course.
Putin, quoted by Russian news agencies at a meeting of Russia's Security Council, said he believed the proposed board was mainly designed to deal with a Middle East peace settlement.
He said Russia was prepared to provide US$1 billion for the board - as proposed by Trump for long-term membership - from frozen Russian assets. However, that plan was likely to meet resistance from Ukraine, which says it needs those assets to rebuild the country.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.
AI Brief
- Trump says Putin and Zelenskiy appear more willing to negotiate and that a ceasefire deal is "reasonably close."
- He claims "abnormal hatred" between the leaders previously blocked progress but now believes they can reach an agreement.
- Putin is considering Trumps proposed "Board of Peace," including funding from frozen Russian assets, though Ukraine is likely to resist that plan.
Trump said he was dealing with Putin, who he said wanted to make a deal to end the nearly four-year-old war, adding that he thought Zelenskiy was also ready to reach an agreement.
Both leaders backed away from an agreement before, but a deal was now "reasonably close," Trump said in a discussion after his prepared remarks to world leaders and business executives in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump twice said he would meet with Zelenskiy later on Wednesday, a fact disputed by a source familiar with Zelenskiy's schedule, but later said the meeting was planned for Thursday.
Ukraine will mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24.
'WE HAVE TO GET IT STOPPED': TRUMP
Trump said he had expected to negotiate a deal to end the war sooner, but there was "abnormal hatred" between the two leaders. Last week, Trump told Reuters that Zelenskiy was the main impediment to reaching an agreement.
On Wednesday, he said Washington was getting closer to brokering a ceasefire agreement.
"I think I can say that we're reasonably close," he said. "We have to get it stopped ... I believe they're at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don't, they're stupid."
Trump told reporters that Putin had accepted his invitation to join his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, but the Russian leader said Moscow was still studying the proposal and would respond in due course.
Putin, quoted by Russian news agencies at a meeting of Russia's Security Council, said he believed the proposed board was mainly designed to deal with a Middle East peace settlement.
He said Russia was prepared to provide US$1 billion for the board - as proposed by Trump for long-term membership - from frozen Russian assets. However, that plan was likely to meet resistance from Ukraine, which says it needs those assets to rebuild the country.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.