Donald Trump signalled the US is prepared to forge an “economic” deal with Russia amid a sharp reversal of Washington’s policy towards Moscow, saying the two countries had held “very good talks” over ending the war in Ukraine.
The US president’s comments, made while sitting alongside his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office, came on the third anniversary of the start of a conflict in which the US has used escalating sanctions to hamper President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
“A lot of progress has been made. We’ve had some very good talks with Russia,” Trump said. “Just as we’re doing with Ukraine, we could do some economic development in terms of Russia and getting things that we want.”
Earlier this month, the US president blindsided European capitals by pushing for a rapid peace deal through bilateral talks with Moscow.
In a press conference following their meeting, Macron said that Trump has “good reason” to re-engage with Putin over the conflict, adding that Europeans are “well aware” that they need to do more to bolster European security.
But he also repeatedly called for US security guarantees for Ukraine to be part of any peace deal.
Earlier on Monday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, despite the US voting against it and urging other states to do so.
In a further diplomatic setback to the Trump administration, its own resolution tabled in opposition to the Ukrainian text, backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, was only passed after it was amended to include a reference to Russia’s invasion.
The US ultimately abstained in the final vote on its own resolution.
Trump said that Putin would not object to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the conclusion of hostilities. “He has no problem with it,” Trump said.
Macron said: “Europeans are ready to support Ukraine in various ways, supporting its military, and are ready to be present to make sure the peace lasts.”