US President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that arrangements are being made for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no specific timeline was provided. “He wants to meet, and we are setting it up,” Trump said during remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, as reported by Reuters.
The statement comes amid heightened speculation about the potential for a diplomatic resolution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now approaching 34 months since its start in February 2022. While hopes have risen for peace, concerns persist that a swift resolution may require significant concessions from Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin, Putin remains open to dialogue but awaits formal requests after Trump assumes office. “President Putin will only welcome this,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by TASS, highlighting Russia’s readiness for talks once Trump’s presidency begins.
Trump, who has repeatedly pledged during his campaign to resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, acknowledged earlier this month that the process might take longer. Still, he expressed optimism about meeting with Putin soon after his inauguration.
During President Joe Biden’s term, the US provided over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, including $60 billion in security assistance. However, the future of such support remains uncertain under Trump, who has emphasised bringing the war to a quick conclusion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism, noting that Trump could play a decisive role in halting Russian aggression. “Stopping Putin is critical to securing peace,” Zelenskyy remarked.
Trump’s aides have floated proposals suggesting concessions that would see parts of Ukraine under Russian control for an extended period. However, no concrete agreements have been reached.