Washington [US], February 9: US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would "probably" meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week.
Regarding the location of the potential meeting, Trump suggested it could be in Washington. "Well, I'm not going there," he told journalists at the White House, presumably referring to Kiev.
He also said he would "probably" be speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, but did not give a time frame.
"I'd like to see that war end for one primary reason: They're killing so many people," he said, before going on to once again assert that "Putin would not have started that war if I were president."
He complained that Europe is providing Ukraine with "much less money" than the United States, even though the war Russia launched "affects Europe much more."
Trump, who returned to the White House nearly three weeks ago, also mentioned Ukraine's natural resources.
"One of the things we're looking at with President Zelensky is having the security of their assets. They have assets underground, rare earth and other things, but primarily rare earth," he said.
The Republican president recently tied continued military aid to Ukraine to access to the country's raw materials. Kiev has suggested it could be open to such an exchange.
Zelensky did not confirm a meeting with Trump but said diplomacy would be ramping up.
"The coming weeks may be very intensive in diplomacy, and we will do what's needed to make this time effective and productive. We always appreciate working with President Trump," he wrote on social media not long after Trump spoke.
"We're also planning meetings and talks at the teams' level. Right now Ukrainian and American teams are working out the details. A solid, lasting peace shall become closer."
Source: Qatar Tribune
