SRINAGAR: Former US President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine will begin ceasefire negotiations, with the Vatican offering to host the talks.
IANS reported that the development follows a two-hour phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump shared the outcome of the discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a separate call and informed several European leaders, including the heads of the EU, France, Italy, Germany, and Finland.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said: “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
He described the tone of his call with Putin as “excellent” and added that the terms of the ceasefire would be worked out directly between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump said both countries stand to benefit economically from peace. “Russia wants to do large-scale trade with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over… Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country,” he said.
Concluding his post, Trump said the Vatican, through the Pope, has expressed willingness to host the negotiations. “Let the process begin,” he wrote.
