US President Donald Trump does not intend to talk to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about any possible division of the territory in Ukraine, NBC News, which appealed to unnamed sources, reported on Thursday night. According to them, Trump told the leaders of European states during Wednesday’s video conference. In addition, he was told that he was going to meet Putin to achieve a ceasefire, TASR writes.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who participated in the virtual meeting, announced after its end that Trump would like to enforce a permanent stop of fighting in Ukraine at Friday’s negotiations with Putin in Alaska. According to Macron, the White House chief also assured that Kiev will decide on possible territorial issues.
Putin’s rejection of peace
Trump said on Wednesday that if Putin after Friday’s summit of both leaders does not agree to end the war of Russia against Ukraine, it will have “very serious consequences” for Moscow. According to the AP, he did not specify what would be in such a case to Russia.
Three European officials and two other people informed of the interviews said that Trump and European leaders agreed that before the start of peace negotiations, there must be a ceasefire in Ukraine. Some leaders had the impression that Trump has no great expectations of the results of his meeting with Putin, which will take place at the Alaska military base in Anchorage. Nevertheless, reportedly felt good about the US President’s plans.
Engaging Ukraine in interviews
According to NBC News, Trump also agreed that Ukraine must be included in the negotiations and should be the one who decides what territorial concessions it is willing to do. The US President indicated last week that there would be a “exchange of territories” between Russia and Ukraine. These statements raised concerns in Kiev and Europe, because this would mean that Ukraine could lose part of its territory.
According to the DPA, the US Treasury suspended the application of some sanctions imposed on Russia by August 20. As it said on Wednesday, the exception applies to transactions associated with the participation of the Russian delegation in negotiations in Alaska.
