President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that plans are underway for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While he did not provide a timeline, Trump expressed urgency in addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, calling it “a bloody mess.”
Speaking before a gathering of Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump revealed Putin’s willingness to engage in discussions.
“President Putin wants to meet. He has said that even publicly. We have to get that war over with,” Trump stated.
Trump’s impending return to the White House on January 20 has sparked both hope and apprehension.
Some believe his leadership could pave the way for a diplomatic solution to end Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
However, concerns linger in Kyiv that a peace deal could come at a steep cost, potentially ceding significant Ukrainian territories to Russia.
Advisors close to Trump have reportedly floated proposals that suggest concessions to Russia as part of a long-term resolution.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized Trump’s potential to influence the war’s outcome and urged him to act decisively to stop Putin’s aggression.
Since the invasion began, the U.S., under President Joe Biden, has provided over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, including more than $60 billion for security assistance.
Trump’s commitment to sustaining this level of support remains unclear, as he prioritizes a swift resolution to the conflict.
On the other side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin’s openness to dialogue with Trump. However, he noted that formal discussions would be more appropriate after Trump assumes office.
As the war nears its third year, global eyes remain fixed on the potential meeting between Trump and Putin.
The stakes are monumental, with the lives of millions and the future of Ukraine hanging in the balance.
Trump’s declaration sets the stage for a high-stakes chapter in international diplomacy.
His approach, whether seen as bold or risky, underscores the urgency of ending one of the most devastating conflicts in recent history.
Only time will tell if his negotiations will bring the resolution the world so desperately hopes for.
