U.S. President Trump, who is on a Middle East visit, said today that unless he meets with Russian President Putin, no progress will be made. He also emphasized that the issue of the Ukraine war must be resolved as too many people have died.

Trump made these remarks while being questioned by the media about the level of the Russian delegation in the Ukraine-Russia talks during his flight from Qatar to the United Arab Emirates aboard Air Force One. "Nothing will happen unless I meet with Putin," he said. "If I don't go, he won't go either."

Trump added, "I don't think there will be any progress... unless I meet with him. However, we must resolve this issue because too many people have died."

Trump has already visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates is the last stop of his Middle East tour.

According to comprehensive foreign media reports, Putin proposed holding peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, Turkey on the 15th, but the Kremlin stated today that Putin has no plans to travel to Turkey and will instead send a representative.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed today in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, that the Ukrainian official delegation is ready for peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Zelenskyy said that the talks could take place today or tomorrow.

Vladimir Medinsky, the Russian presidential advisor leading the Russian negotiation delegation, also told RIA Novosti that Moscow is prepared to discuss the issues.

According to CNN reports, if these negotiations proceed smoothly, it will be the first direct meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials since January 2022.

The Ukraine-Russia war has been ongoing for more than three years. Since Trump took office in late January, he has been trying to facilitate a permanent ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, but so far has not secured any major concessions from Russia. (Washington, April 15)

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504848064876773922/

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