War in Ukraine: Trump Considering a Meeting with Putin

A Diplomatic Meeting in Preparation

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, February 16, that a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, could take place very soon. According to him, the Russian president wishes to put an end to the fighting in Ukraine, nearly three years after the start of the invasion.

When asked about the timing of this potential meeting, initially mentioned in Saudi Arabia, Trump stated that no date had been set yet, but that it could happen in the near future.

Talks in Saudi Arabia

This statement comes as negotiations are planned in Saudi Arabia between a US delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Russian representatives. Rubio, currently on a Middle East tour, confirmed that these discussions aim to initiate a broader conversation involving Ukraine and the issue of ending the war.

However, uncertainty remains over whether Ukrainian representatives will participate. The US Secretary of State said he was unaware of the details regarding the team sent by Moscow and emphasized that nothing had been finalized concerning these negotiations.

A Controversial Communication with Putin

Donald Trump also revealed that he had a long and firm discussion with Vladimir Putin during a recent phone call, an announcement that surprised many of the United States’ European allies. He added that one of his top international affairs advisors, Steve Witkoff, had met with the Russian president for about three hours, without specifying the date.

When asked whether Putin intended to fully invade Ukraine, Trump responded negatively. However, he stressed his vigilance, stating that if such an invasion were to happen, it would be a major problem, and he could not allow it to take place.

Mixed Reactions

This diplomatic initiative has divided international actors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the impact of these exchanges, stating that a simple phone call would not be enough to establish peace.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism regarding Trump’s statements and Putin’s intentions. In an interview aired Sunday on NBC, he warned the international community, urging them not to trust the Russian president.