Trump eyes crucial talks with Zelensky and Putin to end conflict
Donald Trump stated on Friday that he would "probably" meet with President Zelensky of Ukraine next week. The meeting is expected to address topics such as rare earth metals, which Ukraine has promised in exchange for additional military assistance and efforts to end the conflict.
Trump also mentioned that he intends to speak with Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader. The American President remarked that he and Putin "always had a very good relationship."
"Millions of people are being killed. It’s a vicious situation. The real killing now is on the war front. It's a very flat land, and the only thing that stops a bullet is somebody's body, and you have young soldiers. So, Russia's lost about 800,000 soldiers now. Ukraine's lost about 600,000 or 700,000. I think the numbers are lower than they're giving out," Trump claimed.
He also emphasised that this war would not have started if he had been president.
Donald Trump additionally mentioned that he wants to discuss the matter of rare earth metals with Zelensky to ensure the "security" of US expenditures. He believes that Europe is investing less in the conflict and Ukraine than the United States, which is why America expects something "in return."
The US President announced that he would ask Europe to "equalise" its expenses in supporting Ukraine; according to Trump, these expenses amount to around $300 (£240) billion on the US side, although his envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, mentions $170 (£136) billion. Ukraine is to "secure" rare earth metals in an amount equal to the expenses the US has incurred.
"We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," said Trump.
