US President Donald Trump said that within two weeks it will be clear whether there is a real possibility for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This was reported by the BBC, referring to a telephone interview by Trump for the conservative channel Newsmax, also quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
“I would say within two weeks we will know whether there is a chance or not. Then we may have to try another time“, said the American president, without specifying what he meant by “another time“.
The statement came days after a new round of talks in Washington, where the American side discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders the parameters of a possible agreement to end the war. It followed Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, held behind closed doors. Although details were not disclosed, footage of the conversation drew comparisons to the famous debates between Nikita Khrushchev and Richard Nixon in 1959.
However, new doubts have been raised in Moscow about Zelensky's legitimacy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that after his term ends, "serious questions arise about his right to represent Ukraine on the international stage." He said this could become a key obstacle to future negotiations.
Lavrov also stressed that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky is possible only if it is clear "who and with what authority will sign future agreements on the Ukrainian side."
Washington has stepped up pressure for direct presidential talks after the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska and the subsequent international forum with the participation of Zelensky and European leaders. Moscow, however, insists that such a format is possible only with preliminary agreements to end hostilities.