Donald Trump has said peace talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine will begin “immediately” following a phone call with Vladimir Putin.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said both leaders had agreed to work together “very closely” on ending the conflict, including by visiting each other’s countries.
“And we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” Trump added.
“I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations which, I feel strongly, will be successful.
“Millions of people have died in a War that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end.”
It was not clear on which figures Trump was basing his claim that millions have died on.
“No more lives should be lost! I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call, and for the release, yesterday, of Marc Fogel, a wonderful man that I personally greeted last night at the White House. I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!”
It comes after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic, suggesting the country should abandon hope of a return to its borders from before Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014.
He added that European troops should be the primary force securing a post-war Ukraine – something US troops will not be involved in.
Hegseth’s comments came after President Zelenskyy told ITV News that settling the war without security guarantees would simply lead to Putin returning to take what is left of Ukraine.
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