U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (February 16) he believes he could meet "very soon" with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was working hard to achieve peace, and said he believes both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy want to stop fighting.
"I think [Putin] wants to stop fighting. I see that. We spoke long and hard. (U.S. Middle East envoy) Steve Witkoff, who was with him for a very extended period, like about three hours. I think he wants to stop fighting. They have a big, powerful machine, you understand that. And they defeated Hitler and they defeated Napoleon, you know, they've been fighting a long time. They've done it before. But I think he'd like to—I think he would like to stop fighting,” he said.
His comments come as the United States and Russia are preparing for initial talks in Saudi Arabia in the coming days.