International-News

Trump optimistic about ending Russia-Ukraine war: ‘Only I can stop Putin’

US-Ukraine talks started in Riyadh. Moscow cautious: ‘Difficult negotiations scheduled for tomorrow’. Goal: truce and security in the Black Sea

Donald Trump reiterates his belief that he can end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, saying he is the only one who can stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. ‘I don’t think there’s anybody in the world who can stop Putin but me,’ Trump said in an interview with the Outkick website. The US president explained that his discussions with the Russian leader were ‘very reasonable’ and that his primary goal is to stop the killing. ‘I hope to stop this carnage, even if they are not American soldiers. This conflict could lead us to World War III,’ Trump added, stressing that he had “good relations” with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, talks began between a Ukrainian and American delegation aimed at reaching a truce. Leading the Ukrainian delegation is Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who explained that the meeting is aimed at ensuring the protection of the country’s energy infrastructure and strategic ports. ‘We are working on complex technical issues,’ Umerov said, pointing out that the delegation includes energy and military experts.

Tomorrow will be the turn of negotiations between Russia and the United States, with the Kremlin, however, urging caution. Indeed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the negotiations will be ‘difficult’ and that the discussion will initially focus on the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, so as to facilitate the transportation of grain and fuel. Peskov also confirmed the possibility of further contacts between Trump and Putin, in addition to the two official phone calls on 12 February and 18 March.

On the US side, special envoy Keith Kellogg expressed optimism about the possibility of concrete progress in the talks. ‘We are closer to peace than we have ever been,’ he said, adding that one of the first results will probably be an air ceasefire, agreed after the recent conversations between Trump and Putin. After this phase, Kellogg explained, a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and the establishment of a frontline checkpoint will be discussed, with subsequent verification and peacekeeping mechanisms.

According to rumours reported by Bloomberg, the Trump administration is trying to reach a ceasefire agreement by 20 April, an ambitious deadline but one that would coincide with the celebration of Easter for both Churches, Catholic and Orthodox.

THE LATEST NEWS