Trump: Russia Wants Ukraine Success, Peace Deal Nears

In a significant development following peace negotiations at his Mar-a-Lago residence, former President Donald Trump asserted that Russia desires Ukraine’s success. Standing beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump conveyed that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a strong wish for Ukraine to succeed, even hinting at favorable energy pricing from Russia. This assertion comes despite ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a bombing that occurred on the day of the high-profile meeting. President Zelenskyy had earlier highlighted the persistent Russian aerial assaults, detailing the extensive use of drones, bombs, and missiles against Ukrainian territory, particularly its energy infrastructure. Trump also explored the potential for a future trilateral summit involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy, indicating his belief that Putin would welcome such an event. He described a recent 2.5-hour phone call with Putin as ‘very productive’ and touched upon past political events. Regarding the peace process, Trump expressed considerable optimism, stating that a resolution to the war is approaching. While acknowledging the complexity and potential pitfalls of the negotiations, he suggested that clarity could emerge within a few weeks. Trump confirmed he would be speaking with Putin after concluding his discussions with Zelenskyy. President Zelenskyy, meanwhile, indicated that his teams and their U.S. counterparts are scheduled to meet the following week to finalize a comprehensive peace plan. He also reported an agreement for Trump to host a summit with Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington, D.C., in January.