President Trump said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reaction to a proposed ceasefire with Ukraine is “very promising,” but said a ceasefire is just phase one of ending the war.
Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Mr. Trump said the discussions about ending the war have included talks about territory, a power plant and NATO membership possibilities for Ukraine.
“A lot of the individual subjects have been discussed, discussing concepts of land, because you don’t want to waste time with the ceasefire if it’s not going to mean anything,” Mr. Trump said. “So we say, ‘Look, this is what you can get, this is what you can’t get.’”
“A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed,” he said. “Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia is there. If they’re not, it’ll be a very disappointing moment for the world.”
Mr. Putin said Thursday that he’s open to a ceasefire, but has some concerns and wants to talk with Mr. Trump directly.
Mr. Trump said he would “love to meet with him or talk to him, but we have to get it over with fast.”
Mr. Putin said the ceasefire deal would need to address Ukrainian troops inside Russia’s Kursk border region, among other aspects.
When asked about other countries fearing they would be next to be attacked by Russia, Mr. Trump said he doesn’t think those are plausible fears.
“I think when this gets done, it’s done. They’re going to all want to go home and rest,” he said. “I don’t see it happening … And we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen.”
