Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump could meet Putin to discuss ceasefire ‘as soon as next week’

The US president has been taking a a lot harder line, in public, in relation to getting Russia to wind down its conflict towards Ukraine, in a shift away from the blatantly pro-Putin stand of his earlier presidency.

If Russia doesn’t be part of ceasefire discussions by Friday, Trump has threatened to implement extra sanctions towards Moscow.

World affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:

The US is anticipated to proceed with its plan to impose secondary sanctions towards Russia on Friday, after a 10-day deadline that Donald Trump imposed is to run out, a White Home official mentioned yesterday.

The high-level talks between US particular envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian president Vladimir Putin didn’t yield outcomes to stop the sanctions from Trump administration, the officers mentioned.

“The Russians are wanting to proceed partaking with the US,” a White Home official mentioned after the assembly, including that “the secondary sanctions are nonetheless anticipated to be applied on Friday”.

The White Home has not but launched particulars in regards to the sanctions.

Washington has threatened “extreme tariffs” and different financial penalties if the killing within the Russia-Ukraine conflict would not cease.

Trump additionally has threatened to slap tariffs on nations that purchase Russian oil, which may improve import taxes dramatically on China and India. On Tuesday, he mentioned he hadn’t publicly dedicated to any explicit tariff fee, and indicated that his determination may rely on an final result of the assembly with Putin.

Russia is now extra inclined to comply with a ceasefire within the Ukraine conflict, president Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned yesterday.

In a social media submit yesterday night, Zelensky mentioned he and Donald Trump spoke on the cellphone after US particular envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin.

He mentioned “European leaders additionally participated within the dialog,” and “we mentioned what was mentioned in Moscow.”

“Plainly Russia is now extra inclined to comply with a ceasefire,” Mr Zelensky mentioned, including that the stress on Moscow “is working,” with out elaborating.

The Ukrainian war-time chief careworn it was necessary to ensure Russia doesn’t “deceive us or the US” in relation to “the main points” of a possible settlement.

Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies quickly “speak to find out our place, our widespread place, and our widespread view.”

US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who was requested in an interview on Fox Enterprise a couple of potential assembly between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, mentioned “quite a bit has to occur earlier than that may happen.”

Rubio mentioned the US can be having talks with its European allies and the Ukrainians over the subsequent few days.

He mentioned Trump assembly instantly with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine would assist shut an settlement, however mentioned: “We have to get shut sufficient to that time so {that a} assembly like that will probably be productive and value doing.”

“Immediately was a great day, however we have got numerous work forward,” he mentioned. “There’s nonetheless many impediments to beat.”

President Donald Trump may meet in individual with Russian president Vladimir Putin as quickly as subsequent week in his bid to proceed to barter for an finish to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a White Home official has mentioned.

The official added {that a} assembly has not been scheduled but and no location has been decided.

The White Home mentioned Trump was additionally open to a gathering with each Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump, showing earlier than reporters later on the White Home, did not reply questions on a possible location for a gathering however when requested a couple of summit with Putin and Zelensky, mentioned “there’s an excellent prospect that they’ll” meet.

Nevertheless, the president declined to foretell how shut he was to reaching a deal to finish the combating, saying, “I have been disenchanted earlier than with this one.”