Trump calls Putin and Zelensky meeting 'great' and urges dialogue

Jun 05(Jowhar)-U.S. President Donald Trump stated it is 'good' to see Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sitting down with Russian leader Vladimir Putin after Mr. Zelensky urged face-to-face talks, emphasizing that any agreement will require concessions from both sides.

'I am glad they are talking at the meeting. I think we have done a lot,' Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

'I think it would be good if they meet. They should - do it,' he added.

Mr. Trump faced criticism over how he handled the two leaders, after Mr. Zelensky accused the Oval Office last year while also inviting Mr. Putin to a summit in Alaska. He promised to end the Ukraine war within a day of taking office.

He urged Moscow and Kyiv to stop the fighting, although he is focusing on the Iran conflict that the U.S. and Israel began over three months ago.

Local government workers and residents are clearing debris from the streets after a Russian airstrike in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Without specifying what he meant, Mr. Trump said he had conveyed possible agreements to both governments.

'Both will make concessions, I proposed those concessions, and you know, we have done a lot,' President Trump said regarding Ukraine and Russia, without elaborating.

Mr. Zelensky renewed his push for direct talks in a rare open letter he sent to Mr. Putin yesterday, hours after the Kremlin chief admitted that Russia needs to strengthen its air defenses after a series of Ukrainian strikes.

The Kremlin stated that Mr. Putin has not yet seen the letter, but added that Mr. Zelensky could meet with Mr. Putin in Moscow 'anytime' - an option the Ukrainian president previously rejected in his message.

'Ukraine proposes to end this war through direct interaction between you and us. I propose a meeting,' Mr. Zelensky wrote in the letter.

'I propose that a specific time be allocated for such a meeting. Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing,' he added.

Mr. Zelensky issued the letter a day after Ukrainian drones struck Saint Petersburg, the city from which Mr. Putin hails, while hosting a major international economic forum this week.

He has consistently argued that face-to-face talks with Mr. Putin could lead to land stability - a core issue of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open letter

Russia, which launched an invasion in 2022, has insisted that Ukraine withdraw from its eastern Donbas region as a condition for peace talks, although Ukrainian forces continue to capture large parts of the area.

Before Mr. Zelensky's appeal, Mr. Putin told foreign journalists in Saint Petersburg that he still questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Zelensky, a term he has frequently used.

He stated that the issue of whether Mr. Zelensky remains the legitimate leader of Ukraine requires 'analysis' because his initial five-year term ends in 2024.

Ukraine is under martial law, which prohibits elections during wartime, Mr. Zelensky has stated he would be ready to take a vote or referendum on a final peace deal if a complete ceasefire is established.

Mr. Putin insisted he would meet with Mr. Zelensky to finalize a previously discussed agreement, rejecting calls for a summit before it occurs.

'Strengthen' air defense

In recent months, Ukraine has increased long-range strikes on Russian energy and military sites, describing them as a response to nightly bombings carried out by Russian forces.

'If you do not personally make the decision that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence,' Mr. Zelensky wrote in the letter.

Yesterday, Mr. Putin praised the performance of his troops on the battlefield even as Kyiv showed increasing confidence.