Putin ready to talk to Trump, Kremlin says awaiting confirmation from Washington

File picture of Russia President Vladimir Putin speaking to U.S. President Donald Trump in 2017. The Russian leader said he is willing to talk to Mr. Trump
| Photo Credit: AP

Mr. Trump said on Thursday he wanted to meet Mr. Putin as soon as possible to secure an end to the war with Ukraine and expressed his desire to work towards cutting nuclear arms.

“Russia should want to make a deal. Maybe they want to make a deal. I think, from what I hear, Putin would like to see me. And we’ll meet as soon as we can. I’d meet immediately. Soldiers are being killed on the battlefield,” Mr. Trump had said.

Earlier, he had warned his Russian counterpart to end the ‘ridiculous war’ in Ukraine or face high tariffs and further sanctions. Mr. Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, said this on Truth Social on Wednesday (January 22, 2025).