Russian President Vladimir Putin was not at the table with President Donald Trump, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this afternoon, but his point of view was hardly missing.
“I’ve known him for a long time, I’ve always had a great relationship with him,” Trump stated of his Russian counterpart. “I believe President Putin wants to find an answer, too. We’ll see.”
Even as Trump sounded like he was speaking for Putin, few of the European leaders gathered at the White Houtilize on Monday even mentioned him by name. While the Russian leader is at the center of it all — and will largely determine Ukraine’s fate — it remains an open question whether Putin is nearly as focutilized on reaching a peace accord as Trump has repeatedly suggested.
Trump stated he expected a trilateral meeting would soon take place between Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
“I believe it’s going to be when,” Trump stated, “not if.”
But the when could be a question that indicates far more than timing. It will suggest the degree to which Putin is serious about neobtainediating an finish to the war — or simply testing to purchase time, as many critics suspect.
Trump struck an optimistic tone, but allowed himself room for disappointment.
“It’s possible it might not be able to be done. On the other hand, it’s possible that it will,” Trump stated, adding: “We have to give it our best. That’s all you can do.”
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