Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to end the war in Ukraine, stating that Putin wants to "see people stop dying." Trump made the remarks during an interview with the New York Post on Friday, while aboard Air Force One.
Trump, who has promised to end the war but has not publicly outlined his strategy, said he has had "some very good talks" with Putin and that he has a concrete plan to bring the conflict to an end. However, he did not disclose further details about his plan or the nature of his conversations with Putin.
Trump also expressed his desire for a swift resolution to the war, stating, "I hope it's fast. Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing." He added that he would likely meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week to discuss ending the war.
The Kremlin has not commented on Trump's statements, but has previously urged caution over speculation about contacts with the Trump team regarding a possible peace deal.
The war in Ukraine began in 2014 after a pro-Russian president was overthrown in Ukraine's Maidan Revolution and Russia annexed Crimea. Russian-backed separatist forces have been fighting Ukraine's armed forces ever since. In 2022, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, claiming it was a "special military operation" to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine and counter a perceived threat from Ukraine's potential NATO membership.
The war has had a devastating impact on Ukraine and has significantly strained relations between Russia and the West. The global significance of Trump's claims lies in their potential to influence peace negotiations and international relations.