DONALD Trump has urged Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to “sit down and sign a deal,” which he suggests could be achieved within a matter of days.
The US President also revealed Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to make a major concession following their historic Vatican talks prior to the late pontiff’s final farewell.
The Mega AgencyUS President Donald Trump returns to the White House from his New Jersey golf club in Washington on Sunday[/caption]
EPAUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) meeting with US President Donald J. Trump (L) in Saint Peter’s Cathedral[/caption]
ReutersSmoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv[/caption]
Trump’s comments came after returning from the Vatican, where he and Zelensky were captured meeting for the first time since their infamous Oval Office spat in February.
Trump said on Sunday he was both “surprised and disappointed, very disappointed” that mad Vlad continued to bomb Ukraine – despite the dictator engaging in crunch talks with US peace envoy Steve Witkoff.
The pair held three-hour “constructive and very useful” talks, according to Witkoff.
And Trump said he thought Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal” with “most of the major points agreed”.
Prior to the talks, Putin flagrantly ignored Trump’s demands to end Russia’s barbaric attacks on civilian targets and launched vicious missile attacks that pounded Kyiv last Wednesday night.
Speaking to reporters at an airport in New Jersey on Sunday, the Republican said: “I was very disappointed that missiles were flying, by Russia.”
And, upon being asked what he wanted Putin to do, Trump responded: “Well, I want him to stop shooting. Sit down and sign the deal.”
Displaying similar impatience to Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week on the lack of peace progress, Trump added: “We have the confines of a deal, I believe, and I want him to sign it and be done with it.”
The President revealed he would find out “in about two weeks” whether he actually trusts Putin.
Trump also believes Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea as part of a peace deal.
Up until this point, Kyiv has remained defiant on Crimea, warning that Ukraine would never accept territorial concessions in any US-brokered deal.
After being asked if Zelensky was prepared to relinquish control of the country’s southern peninsula that was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, Trump said: “I think so.”
He added that the meeting between the pair in the Vatican had “gone well” and that Crimea had been “very briefly” discussed.
Appearing to draw a comparison with their White House shouting match, Trump said he saw Zelensky as “calmer,” and that the Ukrainian president “understands the picture”.
Trump and Zelensky’s impromptu meeting took place inside the holy St Peter’s Basilica with the pair both pulling up chairs to have an intense one-on-one conversation.
The pair were spotted with French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer while the chairs were being set up for the meeting.
Following the funeral, Zelensky said: “We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people.
“Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.
EPARussian President Vladimir Putin holds a videoconference meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov on Saturday[/caption]
ReutersThe Russian flag flies on an embankment in Yalta, Crimea[/caption]
EPARescuers work at the site of a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine[/caption]
ReutersUkrainian service members of the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system towards Russian troops[/caption]
“Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
The White House also described it a “very productive discussion”.
Later, Trump posted on Truth Social and blasted Putin for “tapping him along”.
He said: “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”
The US president has gone back and forth on his attitude towards Zelensky and previously labelled him a key obstacle to a Ukraine peace deal.
The pair’s meeting marks the first time the two leaders have spoken since their infamous Oval Office spat in February.
Trump blasted Zelensky for “gambling with World War Three” before he booted him out of the White House.
The Republican leader has even labelled Zelensky as a dictator in the past.
But at Francis’ funeral the presidential pair seemed to put the past behind them for the greater good.
The two were sat alongside hundreds of foreign dignitaries, presidents, prime ministers and even royals in Rome.
Zelensky was even greeted by a round of applause as he took his seat in the square, with the crowds expressing their support for Ukraine.
The White House‘s proposed peace plan would let Russia keep most of the Ukrainian territory it has seized so far, The Telegraph has reported.
But the plans as reported make no reference to security guarantees for Kyiv.
Trump’s seven-point peace plan
THE US has drafted up a seven-point plan which, it hopes, will draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia.
A source with knowledge of the plan revealed the content of the main points, reports The Telegraph:
Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine to be barred from joining Nato
US to formally recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea
US to give de-facto recognition of four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia along current lines of control
Ukraine to sign minerals deal to share profits on natural resources with the US
All US sanctions lifted on Russia and both countries co-operate on energy
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