The key facts

  • Trump confirmed the meeting with Dmitriev but refused to disclose the content of the conversation
  • The White House meeting took place against the backdrop of a localized ceasefire in Oleshky organized by Melania Trump
  • Trump called the situation a 'bloodbath' and said the conflict 'needs to end'

Trump promised a 'big deal'

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is 'very close' and may affect not only Ukraine. 'It's going to be a big deal, and it will affect more than Ukraine... I could even say it may affect all of Europe,' he said, according to Anadolu.

White House meeting and localized ceasefire

The statement came after envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin Kirill Dmitriev, together with First Lady Melania Trump and Ukrainian officials, took part in an event at the White House dedicated to the localized ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, the organization of which is credited to the First Lady. Asked whether he had met with Dmitriev, Trump answered in the affirmative but declined to comment on substance: 'I can't say what I talked about.'

What is known and what is not yet

When asked whether he had raised Russia's attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump replied: 'I always raise that issue, and I also raise it the other way around, because they kill too.' He described the situation as a 'bloodbath' that 'has to end,' adding: 'I think we'll end it pretty soon, very soon, maybe.' No specific parameters of a possible agreement, its timeline, or the involvement of European parties are given in the publications — for now these are only Trump's own assessments, not an agreed plan.