The key facts
- In an interview with CBS News (published November 8), Trump called the relationship between Putin and Zelensky the main problem in reaching a settlement
- According to him, at the leaders' first meeting in 2019, 'huge disrespect' was shown toward Russia
- Trump mentioned preparations for a multi-day meeting without naming the participants or the venue; Life.ru previously wrote about talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11
Trump's statement about the relationship between the two leaders
US President Donald Trump said that one of the main obstacles to a peaceful settlement in Ukraine remains the mutual hatred between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. He said this in an interview with journalist Ross Douthat for CBS News, published on November 8, — reports Life.ru. Asked what prevents the conflict from being ended, Trump replied that the problem lies in the relationship between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, while at the same time expressing confidence that the sides are close to a peace agreement.
'Huge disrespect' at the first meeting
When his interlocutor noted that Zelensky's feelings could be understood, since his country had been invaded, Trump agreed with this argument but recalled the Ukrainian side's behavior at the first talks. 'When they had their first meeting, huge disrespect was shown toward Russia,' Life.ru quotes him as saying. The first in-person meeting between Putin and Zelensky took place in December 2019 in Paris at the 'Normandy Four' summit. Asked which of the two presidents he trusted more, Trump did not take sides, noting only that he maintains relations with both Putin and Zelensky.
The upcoming meeting and possible territorial changes
Trump also mentioned preparations for an 'important meeting' which, according to him, should last several days, but he named neither the participants nor the venue. Earlier, Life.ru reported on preparations for talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 10–11, where representatives of the three countries are to discuss prospects for a settlement; Trump himself did not confirm any connection with these talks in the interview. In addition, the American leader suggested that as a result of a peace agreement, Ukraine's territory could acquire 'somewhat different contours,' but he gave no details about the possible changes.
