In a bold move to address ongoing international tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future. The primary goal of this meeting is to secure an end to the protracted Russia-Ukraine crisis and to initiate discussions on cutting nuclear arms.
During a video address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump reiterated his commitment to resolving the conflict that has destabilized the region. \"I really would like to be able to meet with President Putin soon to get that war ended,\" he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Trump's advisors have recently acknowledged that the war between Russia and Ukraine may take months to resolve, contrasting with Trump's earlier campaign promises made before his November 5 election victory. He assured reporters at the White House of his readiness to meet with Putin at the earliest opportunity, highlighting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to negotiate a settlement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also signaled openness to dialogue with the incoming U.S. administration, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict. \"We are open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the conflict in Ukraine,\" Putin remarked on Monday.
Earlier in the week, Trump threatened to impose stringent sanctions on Russia and tariffs on its imports if Moscow failed to reach a settlement. Beyond resolving the Ukraine crisis, Trump expressed his ambition to work towards denuclearization, noting that Putin was receptive to the idea of reducing nuclear arms. \"We'd like to see denuclearization … and I will tell you President Putin really liked the idea of cutting way back on nuclear,\" Trump explained.
The backdrop to these discussions includes the suspension of Russia's participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in February last year. This treaty was the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the two superpowers, initially extended by five years in February 2021. Despite the suspension, U.S. officials in November reported that Putin remains within the treaty's limits, despite Russia's withdrawal.
As global leaders watch these developments closely, the potential meeting between Trump and Putin could mark a significant step towards easing international tensions and promoting nuclear disarmament.
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Trump says he wants to meet Putin soon to end Ukraine crisis
cgtn.com
