President Trump on Thursday mentioned he hoped Russia would “do the right thing” as his administration presses for a ceasefire settlement between Moscow and Ukraine.
Trump instructed reporters he was getting “good signals” about the place Russia stood on agreeing to a ceasefire, although he acknowledged nothing was sure. Trump additionally expressed an openness to talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the potential settlement.
“We’re getting word that things are going OK in Russia, and it doesn’t mean anything until we hear what the final outcome is. But they have very serious discussions going on right now with President Putin and others, and hopefully they all want to end this nightmare,” Trump mentioned throughout an Oval Workplace assembly with NATO Secretary-Common Mark Rutte.
Trump’s feedback got here shortly after Putin mentioned he was open to a ceasefire settlement that might pause preventing in Ukraine, however mentioned there have been “issues that we need to discuss.”
Trump’s particular envoy for Center East affairs, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow and was set to fulfill with Putin later Thursday.
“So, we hopefully are going to be in a good position sometime today to have a good idea,” Trump mentioned. “We know where we are with Ukraine, and we are getting good signals outside of Russia as to where we are with Russia, and hopefully they’ll do the right thing.”
Trump mentioned lots of the particulars of a remaining settlement have already been mentioned, together with land agreements and NATO membership for Ukraine.
“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,” Trump mentioned.
