Trump reveals he has spoken with Putin over Ukraine conflict
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has disclosed that he is in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking to The New York Post, Trump said that Putin "does care" about the loss of lives on the battlefield.
He also claimed that this conflict "never would have happened" if he had been in office in 2022.
Diplomatic efforts
Trump criticizes Biden, initiates negotiations
While refusing to detail how many times he spoke to the Russian leader, Trump maintained that he always kept a strong relationship with Putin.
He slammed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, as "an embarrassment to our nation."
Trump has asked his National Security Advisor Mike Waltz to initiate negotiations.
"Let's get these meetings going. They want to meet. Every day people are dying," he said.
Stance
Putin open to talks, Zelenskyy considered 'illegitimate'
Recently, Putin has signaled a willingness to hold direct talks to end the nearly three-year conflict.
However, he has ruled out negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he deems "illegitimate" as his tenure has expired.
Nevertheless, Zelenskyy said he is open to talks with Putin if they will bring an end to the war.
"I will not be kind to him. I consider him an enemy," he said in an interview with Piers Morgan.
Proposed deal
Trump proposes $500 million deal with Ukraine
Trump has proposed a $500 million deal with Ukraine that would give the US access to the country's rare-earth minerals and gas reserves in return for security guarantees in a peace settlement.
Zelenskyy, in turn, has said that he is open to a mineral partnership with the US.
"If we are talking about a deal, then let's do a deal, we are only for it," Zelenskyy told Reuters.
Warning
Zelenskyy warns against decisions without Ukraine's input
Trump has proposed he could resolve the war swiftly and hinted at continuing US-Russia talks without Kyiv's participation.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy told AP, "We cannot let someone decide something for us," Zelenskyy told AP, saying Russia wants the "destruction of Ukrainian freedom and independence." adding his apprehensions that it could encourage authoritarian leaders worldwide.
"We need to stop Putin and protect what we have - a very rich Dnipro region, central Ukraine," he added.