WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Alliance News): Former US President Donald Trump stated Sunday that he could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon” to discuss ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, adding that he believes Putin genuinely seeks peace.
Trump, speaking to reporters after a flight on Air Force One, mentioned his team has been in close communication with Russian officials, including a recent meeting between Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin. “I think he wants to stop fighting,” Trump said of the Russian leader.
The remarks come as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to lead a high-level delegation to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the coming days for talks with Russian officials on the conflict.
However, Rubio emphasized that resolving the war would not be simple, and any peace process would require more than one meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, expressed concern that Russia might be preparing to challenge NATO if US support for the alliance wanes under Trump.
Trump dismissed Zelensky’s warnings, saying he was “not even a little bit” concerned by them.
