Today at 20:01
According to U.S. President Donald Trump, he told both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin that “it’s time to stop the killings and make a DEAL.”
Trump emphasized that both Putin and Zelenskyy “should stop where they are.”
“I told him, likewise strongly suggested President Putin, that it is time to stop the killings and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, enough defining borders through war and bravery. They must stop where they are now. Let both sides declare victory, and let history judge! No more shots, no more deaths, no more enormous and unsustainable costs. This war would never have started if I were President. Thousands of people being slaughtered each and every week — NO MORE, GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES IN PEACE!” wrote the U.S. president.
When journalists asked Zelenskyy about Trump’s post, he replied: “We must remain where we are. Then we will continue the talks.”
Trump also noted that while he suspects Putin may try to stall, he is confident that the Russian leader “wants to make a deal.”
Answering a journalist’s question, Trump said he is “concerned” about possible delays from Putin:
“But you know, my whole life I’ve negotiated with the best. And I’ve done very well. So yes, maybe a little time. No problem. But I think I’m quite good at these things,” the U.S. president stated.
“I’ve made eight such deals. I’m going to make the ninth. I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump added.
For context, on October 16, Trump spoke with Putin for the first time in nearly two months, after which he announced plans for a meeting in Budapest — potentially the first appearance of Putin in an EU capital since the full-scale war began, requiring overflight of other EU countries.
According to media reports, European leaders are now trying to secure a seat at the negotiating table, after Trump’s recent contact with Putin complicated efforts to increase pressure on Russia.
