US President-elect Donald Trump has revealed plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after his inauguration on January 20. In an interview with Newsmax on Monday, Trump stated that the meeting would happen “very quickly” and emphasized his intent to address the Ukraine conflict.
When asked about his strategy for resolving the crisis, Trump said, “There is only one strategy, and it’s up to Putin.” He suggested that the ongoing conflict has not gone well for Russia, adding, “I can’t imagine he’s too thrilled with the way it’s gone.” Trump also noted that Putin is eager to meet and that he would have arranged talks earlier if not for the transition period.
During his presidential campaign, Trump vowed to end the Ukraine conflict and halt extensive US financial support to Kyiv, claiming he could resolve the hostilities “in 24 hours” through strategic phone calls. However, since winning the election, Trump and his team have adjusted expectations, acknowledging that a resolution could take months.
In the same interview, Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for allowing the war to escalate, calling it “gross incompetence.” Trump highlighted the severe consequences for both Ukraine and Russia, arguing that the conflict should never have occurred.
Biden, speaking at the Department of State on Monday, defended his administration’s approach to the crisis, describing it as a foreign policy success. He claimed his leadership helped rally global support for Ukraine while avoiding direct conflict between nuclear powers. “Ukraine is still a free, independent country, with the potential for a bright future,” Biden said, urging the incoming Trump administration to safeguard that future.
The Kremlin has welcomed Trump’s stated willingness to engage with Russia but has emphasized that resolving the conflict requires addressing its underlying causes. Moscow has long argued that NATO’s expansion and Ukraine’s treatment of its ethnic Russian population are at the heart of the issue.
Russian officials have accused Biden’s administration of escalating tensions to justify a proxy war against Moscow, a view widely held in Russia. Despite these challenges, Trump’s upcoming dialogue with Putin is seen as a potential step toward easing tensions and seeking a path to peace.
