Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Aug 19: United States President Donald Trump on Monday expressed optimism over brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia, saying both Kyiv and Moscow want the war to end.
“The war (Russia-Ukraine) is going to end. When it ends, I can’t tell you, but the war is going to end. This gentleman wants it to end and Vladimir Putin wants it to end,” Trump said while briefing the press alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
The meeting came just three days after Trump’s high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Later in the day, Trump was scheduled to meet top European leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Trump credited himself for “ending six wars” during his presidency, even reiterating his claim of mediating peace between India and Pakistan, despite New Delhi’s consistent denials. “You take a look at Africa, look at Rwanda and the Congo – that has been going on for 31 years. We have done a total of six, not including the fact that we totally obliterated the future nuclear capability of Iran,” he said.
Hinting at direct engagement with Moscow, Trump said, “Putin expects my call,” adding that he was working on the possibility of a trilateral meeting between him, Putin, and Zelenskyy. “If we have a trilat, there’s a good chance of maybe ending it. If not, the fighting continues,” he remarked.
Zelenskyy, responding to queries, said, “We are ready for a trilateral,” but stressed that Ukraine still requires support from the US and European allies. The exchange between the two leaders appeared notably warmer compared to their tense Oval Office meeting in February.
On being questioned about the absence of a ceasefire announcement after his talks with Putin last week, Trump maintained, “I didn’t do ceasefires. I like the concept of ceasefire for one reason – you would stop killing people immediately. But strategically, it could be a disadvantage for one side. I have made all these deals without the mention of the word ceasefire.”