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US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that his administration’s efforts to secure a Russia-Ukraine peace deal are “underway” and that he wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon.
In a speech expected via video link to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said: “I would really like to be able to meet with President Putin soon to end the war, and it’s not about the economy or anything. Otherwise, millions of lives are being wasted.” from the point of view
In December, Trump Putin said he expressed interest in meeting her.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his end-of-the-year televised news conference and phone call on Dec. 19, 2024 in Moscow, Russia.
Gavriil Grigorov via Reuters
Without elaborating, Trump also said Thursday: “Our efforts to secure a peaceful settlement between Russia and Ukraine are now underway, thankfully. It’s so important that we do that.”
While he he suggested that high oil prices were the cause of the warand asked the OPEC producer group to lower prices.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened to impose “high levels” of sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless it “makes a deal” to end the war against Ukraine.
His approach was praised by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an interview at the WEF earlier on Thursday. Rutte told CNBC he was “very happy” with Trump’s threat of sanctions. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also echoed the president’s comments, telling CNBC that such sanctions would be “good pressure on Russia to act.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on January 21, 2025.
Yves Herman | Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck a more skeptical tone in a speech in Davos on Tuesday, doubting whether Trump would “even notice Europe” during his presidency. Going to the event to promote Kyiv set of peace proposals As the war approaches its third anniversary, Zelenskyy also suggested that Trump may forget about Europe to focus on Ukraine peace talks, working with Russia and China.
Washington has already imposed sanctions on Russia, among others shipping and energytogether people supporting the war effort. The US has also given away the greatest financial support of any nation to Ukraine, including millions in military aid.
US funding for Kiev has become increasingly politically contentious as former US President Joe Biden struggled to pass a foreign aid bill in April 2024 with $60 billion for Ukraine. Europe will increase its contributions to Ukraine.
NATO chief Rutte told CNBC that Europe must also “reinforce” its sanctions to “stifle the Russian economy.”
