Exclusive: President-Elect Trump Confirms Plans to Meet Putin as Ukraine War Enters Year Two
In an unexpected twist, President-elect Donald Trump has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire to meet with him, with preparations for such a meeting currently underway. The announcement comes just over a week before Trump’s inauguration, and amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia since February 2022.
Trump made the announcement during a gathering with Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. He stated, "He [Putin] wants to meet, and we’re setting that up," hinting at a possible diplomatic breakthrough in the long-standing conflict.
During a subsequent press conference, Trump elaborated on his earlier statement, expressing his eagerness to conclude the war in Ukraine. "President Putin wants to meet, he’s said it publicly, and we’ve got to stop this chaos," Trump stated, according to AFP.
While Trump has not presented any concrete proposals for a ceasefire or peace agreement, he has consistently criticized the substantial military aid packages sent by the United States to Ukraine under President Joe Biden’s administration. Trump has also questioned the U.S.’s continued involvement in NATO and frequently derided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as being "corrupt."
American involvement in Ukraine has seen the U.S. provide over US$65 billion in military aid since the start of the invasion, making it the largest supporter of the Ukrainian war effort. As Trump prepares to assume the presidency, the international community awaits details on his planned meeting with Putin and its potential impact on the conflict in Ukraine.
