CNN
–
In an interview released on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“He wants people to stop dying,” Trump told the New York Post.
It was not immediately clear when the leaders spoke, how many times Trump had spoken since he took office in January, or how many times he spoke. CNN contacted the National Security Council for clarification.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN “We cannot deny or confirm this news.” He added that the Trump administration has “earned activity” to the extent that Washington and Moscow talk “through various channels.”
“So… there may be something I don’t know,” Peskov said.
In an interview, Trump said he “will not say” how many times he spoke to Putin, but promoted a “good relationship” with his Russian counterpart.
The US president has expressed his hope that Putin’s war in Ukraine, which is approaching its third anniversary, will end “quickly.” He had previously vowed to end the conflict within 24 hours of his appointment.
“I hope it’s fast. Every day people are dying. This war is very bad in Ukraine. He told the New York Post.
Earlier this week, Trump said that speaking to end the war “has made a lot of progress.”
In an interview that took place when Trump traveled to Air Force 1 to Florida on Friday, the president instructed his national security adviser Mike Waltz to “start these meetings.”
“They want to meet. Every day people are dying. Young handsome soldiers are killed. Young men like my son. Both sides. On the whole battlefield,” he said.
On Friday, the president told reporters he would “probably” meet Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky this week, suggesting he would talk to Putin.
“I will probably meet President Zelensky next week, and I will probably talk to President Putin,” Trump said.
Zelensky is expected to lead a Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference. This is also expected to be attended by Vice President JD Vance of Ukraine and Russia, and Russian envoys, but not Trump.
Earlier this week, Trump said he wanted to ensure access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral supply in exchange for continued US support to the country.
“We have a contract with Ukraine. They’re going to ensure that they have what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things,” Trump said in an oval office. Talking to reporters, he complained that Europe had not provided Ukraine to Ukraine. Same level of assistance as in the US.
The deal proposal provides insight into Trump’s intentions regarding the Ukrainian war. He has long complained about the US burden of Kiev’s armed forces, but has not detailed his plans for halt or ongoing support since taking office.
The Kremlin told CNN earlier this week that there was no serious discussion about the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Putin.
“They didn’t have the initial contact to discuss whether they needed to meet and when and how they needed to,” Peskov said.
Amid growing expectations for contact between the two leaders, a senior Russian lawmaker told state media that “advanced” preparations are probably already underway this month.
