US president engages in talks with Putin to negotiate end to war in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has had phone conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in an effort to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

“I’d better not say,” Trump told New York Post when asked how many times the two leaders had spoken, Caliber.Az reports. 

However, he believes Putin “does care” about the killing on the battlefield. 

“He wants to see people stop dying,” Trump said. 

“All those dead people. Young, young, beautiful people. They’re like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason.”

Trump further claimed that the three-year-long war “never would have happened” if he had been president in 2022.

“I always had a good relationship with Putin,” he said, in contrast to his predecessor. “Biden was an embarrassment to our nation. A complete embarrassment.” Trump emphasized that he has a concrete plan to end the war. 

“I hope it’s fast. Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing.”

While speaking to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who was with him in his study aboard Air Force One on the night of February 7, the president said, “Let’s get these meetings going. They want to meet. Every day people are dying. Young handsome soldiers are being killed. Young men, like my sons. On both sides. All over the battlefield.” 

Vice President Vance will meet with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference next week.

Trump has also mentioned his desire to strike a $500 million deal with Zelensky to gain access to rare-earth minerals and gas in Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.

By Naila Huseynova