Trump Seeks Immediate Meeting with Putin to End Ukraine War

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a strong desire to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, prioritizing saving lives over economic considerations. Speaking via video at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump called the conflict "carnage" and stressed the urgent need for resolution.

Trump, who previously claimed he would broker peace on his first day in office, acknowledged the war would take months to resolve. He noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was open to making a deal.

At the White House, Trump reiterated his readiness for an immediate meeting with Putin, emphasizing the daily loss of lives on the battlefield. "Every day we delay, soldiers are being killed," he stated.

Earlier this week, Trump warned of imposing severe sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow did not pursue a peace settlement. He also proposed reducing nuclear weapons, expressing confidence that Russia and China might follow suit. "Denuclearization is critical," Trump said, adding that Putin showed interest in cutting nuclear arms.

Despite Putin’s modernization of Russia's nuclear forces and his threats to use them in the war, U.S. officials confirmed Russia remains within the limits of the New START treaty, set to expire in 2026. However, Putin suspended talks to replace the pact, which restricts both nations to deploying 1,550 strategic warheads.

Trump's statements underscore his efforts to end the war and reduce nuclear weapons globally, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy to prevent further destruction and loss of life.