Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump claims peace deal ‘closer than ever’ after direct talks with Putin
US President Donald Trump has said “we’re closer now than we have been ever” to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine following conversations with European leaders.
He told the press: “I had a long talk with President Zelensky. Also, I spoke with the heads of Germany, Italy, NATO, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. We had very long and very good talks. And again, I think things are going along pretty well.”
The US leader said he has spoken directly to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin who he said “wants to see it end”, adding “they’d like to get back to [a] more normal way of life.”
It follows news that the US president believes he can get Putin to accept a Nato-like article five security guarantee for Ukraine following almost three days of negotiations with the Kyiv delegation.
Echoing the US leader, German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on social media: “For the first time since the war began, a ceasefire now seems possible.”
