Trump claims Putin accepts idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine
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During his meeting with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron says France and the UK have developed a plan to ensure security for Ukraine.
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US President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2025 (AFP)
The war in Ukraine could end within weeks, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday.
"I think the work could end soon, within weeks, yeah, if we're smart. If we're not smart, it'll keep going, and we'll keep losing young, beautiful people that shouldn't be dying. And we don't want that. And remember when I said, this could escalate into a third world war, and we don't want that," Trump said during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the first European leader to visit the US President since he regained power a month ago.
The US president announced that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Washington this week or next to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals.
"I will be meeting with president Zelenskyy. In fact, he may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, and which would be nice, I'd love to meet him, would meet at the Oval Office," Trump said.
Trump and his team have been negotiating a revenue-sharing agreement on minerals with Ukraine, aiming to recover part of the funds the previous Biden administration provided to Kiev in military aid.
Last week, Zelensky rejected US demands for $500 billion in Ukrainian mineral resources as repayment for wartime assistance, arguing that Washington had supplied far less than that amount and had not offered concrete security guarantees in the agreement.
Trump says Europe responsible for ensuring stability after Ukraine war
He asserted that Europe would bear the responsibility for maintaining security once the war in Ukraine is resolved.
"Europe is going to make sure that nothing happens," he indicated, adding, "I think once we settle there's going to be no more war in Ukraine, and it's not going to be a very big problem."
However, Trump noted that he does not foresee a need for Europe to actively engage in Ukraine’s security post-settlement, as both Russia and Ukraine will be focused on their own national affairs.
He also announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin accepts the idea of Europe sending peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire agreement.
"Yeah, he will accept that," Trump said about Putin's acceptance of a peacekeeping force. "I specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it."
France, UK ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees: Macron
On his part, Macron stated that France and the United Kingdom have developed a plan to ensure security for Ukraine, which may include deploying military personnel.
"What we have prepared with our British colleagues is that we are ready to provide security guarantees [to Ukraine], which may include sending military personnel," the French president said during his meeting with Trump.
According to Macron, these forces "will not necessarily be located on the front line," but will serve "as a guarantee."
He also pointed out that the arrival of a new US administration provides a fresh opportunity to re-engage in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Now this is a chance, there is a big change, because there is a new US administration. So this is a new context. So there is a good reason for President Trump to reengage with President Putin,” Macron pointed out.
The French leader noted that seizing frozen Russian assets is legally impermissible.
"It is impossible to take away frozen Russian assets, this is contrary to international law," he said, adding that the issue of Russian assets should be incorporated into the broader framework of peace negotiations regarding Ukraine.
But Macron insisted that "peace cannot mean the surrender of Ukraine," stressing that Kiev "fought over these past few years for its independence and for its sovereignty, but also for our collective security."
"I think that no one in this room wants to live in a world where it's the law of the strongest and international borders can be violated from one day to the next."
Trump: Meeting with Putin will happen "at some point"
Trump indicated that he anticipates meeting with Putin in the future, saying, "We're trying to get this thing worked out, but at some point, I'll be meeting with President Putin too."
But he told reporters that he does not intend to travel to Moscow in May, stating that it is too soon but affirming that he will visit Russia when the time is appropriate.
"I think that's pretty soon, but at the appropriate time I would go to Moscow," he said.
Trump added that his administration is maintaining regular communication with Russian officials.
"I spoke with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, and my people are dealing with him constantly, and his people in particular," he confirmed.
He added that one of his first calls was to Putin.
"We were treated with great respect," Trump noted.
He emphasized that reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine would benefit Russia.
"I think it's very much the benefit of Russia to make a deal [to end the conflict in Ukraine]," he said.
The US president also confirmed that his administration is working to secure economic development agreements with Russia, particularly in sectors of strategic interest, including rare earth minerals.
"We are trying to do some economic development deals. They have a lot of things that we want, and we will see. I mean, I do not know that will come to fruition, but we would love to be able to do that, if we could, you know, they have massive rare earth [deposits]," he explained.
Trump acknowledged that Ukraine will face significant challenges in reclaiming territories currently under Russian control.
"That's not an easy thing to do, right? It's not easy just asking whether or not you can take back the land that they lost. And I say that, yeah, perhaps some of it, yeah, I hope so," he said.
UNGA adopts Ukrainian, European resolution on ending war
A US attempt to soften the stance of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the war in Ukraine was rejected, as Trump seeks to negotiate a deal to end the war.
Earlier, European nations succeeded in amending Washington’s draft resolution on the third anniversary of the war's outbreak, incorporating language reflecting the UN’s longstanding support for Kiev. This led the United States to abstain from voting on its own proposal.
The amended US resolution secured 93 votes in favor, while 73 countries abstained, and 8 voted against it.
The General Assembly ultimately adopted a resolution drafted by Ukraine and European nations, with 93 votes in favor, 65 abstentions, and 18 votes against.
