US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters at the White House on Friday, saying he expects something “significant” to happen if he has a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. He confirmed that serious talks with Moscow are underway.
Trump, who took office last Monday, has repeatedly stated that he is ready to speak with the Russian president as soon as possible to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin had previously announced that it was waiting for clear signals from the White House.
“We will speak and I think we may do something that will be significant” Trump said on Friday. “It’s just a senseless situation and it has to be ended. Whatever I can do to end it and we’re having conversations, yes.”
When asked if this meant he had already spoken with Putin or a conversation was planned, Trump replied, “I won’t say that.” On the question of why he was withholding the information, he repeated, “I just don’t want to say that.”
“We’re having very serious conversations about this war and trying to end it” he added, confirming that these conversations are “with Russia.”
On Monday, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Rjabkow, stated that a telephone conversation between the two presidents is not currently planned, as no agreement or understanding has been reached in this matter. He pointed out that the entire communication is currently taking place at the level of embassies.
Trump has committed to negotiating a solution to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev. According to reports, he has given his Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, 100 days to develop a solution. Last week, the US president threatened to impose new sanctions if Moscow refused to accept a “deal” to end the conflict, but he also claimed he did not want to harm Russia.
Russia, on the other hand, insists that the hostilities will only be ended if the Ukraine agrees to permanent neutrality, demilitarization and denazification and simultaneously acknowledges the territorial “realities on the ground.” Moscow has stated it remains open to negotiations but emphasizes that any agreement must contain “reliable, legally binding regulations to eliminate the causes of the conflict.