U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to “end this bloodshed” in Ukraine during their two-hour phone call, but added that if negotiations between Ukraine and Russia show no progress, he is prepared to “back away” from the process.
That is according to CNN, Ukrinform reports.
“I said, ‘When are we going to end this bloodshed, this blood bath?’ It’s a blood bath, and I do believe he wants to end it,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump also said that if he thought he could not help then he would “back away” from negotiations. He added that there are “very big egos” involved.
“I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away and they’re going to have to keep going,” the president said.
Asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins if he asked to meet with Putin during their call, the president said he “talked to him about it.” Trump had previously suggested that he and Putin would have to meet directly to end the war.
“Of course I did. I talked to him about it,” he said.
After a two-hour phone call with Putin on Monday, Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine must immediately begin negotiations on a ceasefire and work toward ending the war.
He also said he believes Putin wants peace with Ukraine.
Photo: PAP/EPA
Source: Trump says ready to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia talks if no progress is made
