Trump’s Meeting with Putin: A Focus on Ceasefire
On Friday, President Donald Trump remarked that he wouldn’t feel “happy” if he left his upcoming meeting with President Vladimir Putin without a ceasefire agreement regarding the situation in Ukraine.
In an interview on Fox News, Trump expressed that while Brett Baier suggested not to get “too hopeful,” he remained optimistic about achieving a ceasefire. He stated, “If I didn’t get it, I wouldn’t be excited.” He noted the usual skepticism surrounding ceasefire discussions, saying, “Everyone says, ‘You’re not going to get a ceasefire. It’s going to happen in the second meeting.’ But I’m not going to be happy with that.”
Trump indicated that he might even cancel future consultations if the summit fails to yield results. “If you leave without the form of a ceasefire, I won’t be happy,” he emphasized, noting that this meeting is critical to “setting the table” for future discussions.
Context Before the Meeting
As Trump traveled on Air Force One to Anchorage, Alaska, he and his team were preparing for their first in-person meeting with Putin under his administration. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented that there were “no signs” that Russia wanted to end the war.
While Trump does not plan to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, he believes he can assist in establishing a framework for negotiations. “It’s not for me to negotiate a deal with Ukraine, but I certainly can set up a table for a contract,” he explained, hinting at potential future discussions involving him, Zelenskyy, and Putin.
Trump’s Views on Putin and Peace
Trump expressed a belief that Putin may desire peace and feels that he’s had “enough” of the war. In a surprising twist, Trump even mentioned Hillary Clinton, saying he might “have to like her again” if she were to negotiate a peace deal and support efforts with Russia, jokingly noting he’d recommend her for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Clinton later commented that for Trump to deserve such an award, he would need to ensure that there is a ceasefire in place, no exchange of territory, and a clear withdrawal from seized lands to guarantee Europe’s security.
