Mon Feb 17 07:52:24 UTC 2025: ## Trump Claims Putin Wants to End Ukraine War, Plans Imminent Meeting
**West Palm Beach, FL –** Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he expects to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin very soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Trump claims Putin wants to stop the fighting, citing a three-hour meeting between Putin and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. This announcement comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts, including high-level talks in Riyadh led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
While Trump expressed optimism about Putin’s intentions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced concerns that Russia is preparing for war against a weakened NATO if US support falters under a Trump presidency. Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s concerns.
Secretary Rubio cautioned against overly optimistic expectations, emphasizing that resolving the complex conflict would be a lengthy process. He confirmed that a high-level US delegation, including Witkoff and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, will attend talks in Riyadh, but Ukrainian participation remains uncertain. The talks aim to open a broader dialogue involving Ukraine and focusing on ending the war.
The announcement follows a Wednesday phone call between Trump and Putin, where they reportedly agreed to begin ceasefire negotiations. This call surprised NATO allies and Kyiv, with Zelenskyy insisting on Ukraine’s involvement in any decisions affecting the country. Secretary Rubio highlighted the need for caution, stating that a single phone call does not guarantee peace. Zelenskyy, in separate interviews, described Putin as untrustworthy. The coming days will be crucial in determining the sincerity of Putin’s stated intentions.
First Piper 