Russia rejects the ceasefire that Ukraine has made a precondition of starting peace talks to end the war between the two countries, American President Donald Trump said Sunday.
“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday in Turkey to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He insisted that the leaders should meet anyway. “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!”
Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, and the resulting war has killed hundreds of thousands of people. Under Trump, the United States — which until he took office had been a staunch financial and military supporter of the Ukrainian war effort — has grown closer to Russia and pulled away from Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shortly after Trump’s post, said on X: “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
Trump admires Vladimir Putin but has been frustrated by the Russian president in his efforts to end the war, a task that he promised to accomplish during his election campaign within 24 hours.
“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America,” Trump wrote Sunday. “HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”
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