US President Donald Trump reiterated his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the nearly three-year-old Ukraine conflict at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 23, 2025. Trump emphasized that he would like to meet with Putin to end the war, stating that it is not about economic or other interests, but about ending a “carnage” that has wasted millions of lives.
“I would really like to meet with President Putin and end this war” Trump said. “And it’s not because of economic reasons or any other reason. It’s about millions of lives being wasted. Beautiful young people are being shot on the battlefield.”
Trump had previously announced that he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office, but his advisors acknowledge that a solution could take months. When asked if a peace agreement could be reached by the next WEF in a year, Trump sidestepped the question, saying, “You should ask Russia that.”
Despite this, Trump expressed optimism that the US efforts for a diplomatic solution are “hopefully underway.” International observers have mixed reactions to Trump’s overture, with some seeing it as a glimmer of hope for ending the bloodshed and others fearing a weakening of Western positions, should Trump be willing to make significant concessions to Moscow.
“It’s a carnage. Young people are being killed in this war, and cities are being destroyed building by building. We should really stop this” Trump said.
The coming weeks will show whether and when a meeting between the two heads of state will take place and whether Trump’s diplomatic offensive can bring the desired peace – or if it remains a mere announcement.