US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very quickly” once he assumes office next week.
While Trump did not give a specific date for the meeting, it would mark the first time the two leaders have met since Russia’s war with Ukraine began in February 2022.
When asked about his strategy to end the war, Trump told Newsmax: “Well, there’s only one strategy and it’s up to Putin and I can’t imagine he’s too thrilled about the way it’s gone because it hasn’t gone exactly well for him either.
“And I know he wants to meet and I’m going to meet very quickly. I would’ve done it sooner but…you have to get into the office. For some of the things, you do have to be there.”
US Congressman Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser, also stated on Sunday that he expects a call between Trump and Putin “in the coming days and weeks.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, millions displaced, and the most significant strain in relations between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
