Washington: US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday to demonstrate "flexibility" in negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. In a Fox News interview following significant talks with Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington, Trump expressed his hope that the Ukrainian president "will do what he has to do" and "show some flexibility" in the forthcoming discussions.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump also mentioned his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which occurred after Monday's meeting at the White House. Trump expressed his hope that Putin would act positively, cautioning that if not, the situation could become challenging. Trump pointed out that Ukraine's key demands, such as NATO membership and the return of Crimea, remain unattainable. He highlighted that NATO membership for Ukraine was considered unlikely even before Putin's era in the 1990s, citing Russia's consistent opposition to having "the enemy" on their border.
Despite these challenges, Trump suggested that Ukraine could benefit from reaching a deal. He stated that Ukraine could regain stability and prevent further loss of life, while also gaining substantial territory. He emphasized the importance of a resolution to the conflict, which began in February 2022, and noted the potential for a better future for Ukraine.
In terms of security arrangements, Trump ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine but mentioned that some European nations were considering deploying military forces as part of security guarantees for Kyiv. He indicated that countries like France, Germany, and the UK were willing to have "boots on the ground," while the US might provide air support capabilities. Trump asserted that Russia might not object to this arrangement if an agreement were to be reached.
These comments followed a meeting at the White House with leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The discussions centered on resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict after Trump's Alaska summit with Putin.
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump announced plans for a meeting between the Russian leader and Zelenskyy, followed by a three-way meeting including himself. Trump expressed cautious optimism about the potential for improved relations between Putin and Zelenskyy. He noted the urgency of the timeline discussed with European leaders and emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further casualties. Trump concluded by stating that if the initial meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy was successful, he would join them to finalize the agreement.