US President Donald Trump still believes that Russia wants to end the war with Ukraine. However, he believes that the Russians may be a little slow. Trump said this on Wednesday night in an interview with the media outlet Newsmax.
- I think that Russia wants to end the war, but it could be that they are a little slow, the president said, adding:
- I have been that way myself over the years, where I have not wanted to sign a contract because I wanted to "stay in the game" in a way.
The answer from the president comes after journalist Greg Kelly asked Trump directly whether he thinks that Russia is slow in reaching an end to the war in Ukraine. Donald Trump emphasizes in the interview that he wants to reach an end to the war and that he will not pay for the war.
On Tuesday, the White House announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to secure shipping in the Black Sea. Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umyrov, wrote in a post on X on Tuesday that all parties have agreed to "eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea".
He also wrote that the countries have agreed to "develop measures" to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. The statements came after Ukrainian and American officials held brief discussions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The United States has held meetings with Ukraine and Russia individually over several days. Ahead of the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump said that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. However, he has subsequently retracted and said that it was meant sarcastically.
jel /ritzau/
