New York [US], May 17: US President Donald Trump believes Russia wants to reach a deal to end the conflict with Ukraine but warned that if negotiations fail, the US will impose sanctions on Russia.
In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier in Abu Dhabi (UAE) broadcast on May 16, when asked if the US would impose sanctions on Russia as a pressure move, President Trump said he would do so if peace talks collapsed.
"I will do that if we don't have a deal. This is a critical moment, we're talking seriously and we'll see what happens. This will be a big blow to Russia because they're having economic problems, oil prices are low," Trump said.
The comments came as Russia and Ukraine ended their first round of direct talks in three years in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16 without any breakthrough.
When Baier mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not appear in Turkey, Trump said: "I always felt like there would be no meeting without me because I didn't think there would be a deal. There was a lot of animosity on both sides," Trump said of the Istanbul peace talks between Russia and Ukraine .
"I have a very good relationship with Mr. Putin . I think we'll make a deal. We have to meet and we'll probably make a plan," Mr. Trump said.
The White House owner also affirmed that the Russian leader wanted this meeting because "I think Mr. Putin is tired of everything and he doesn't look good."
Asked whether Mr Putin was the main obstacle to peace, Mr Trump turned the subject to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I had a very difficult meeting with Mr Zelensky. He made it very difficult and I always said he has no cards. You are dealing with a very large army," Mr Trump said.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
