Donald Trump Russia-Ukraine peace talks deadline: What happens next?
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would know within a fortnight if progress was possible in his attempt to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Citing "immense hatred" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, he again spoke of the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Russia or abandoning his mediation efforts. The report came from Agerpres, citing Reuters.
"I'm not happy with any aspect of the effort to bring Russia and Ukraine to peace," Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, a week after his summit with President Putin in Alaska ended without a clear outcome, although both men had spoken vaguely of progress afterwards.
Since then, after having discussions with Mr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, Mr Trump has been unable to bring the two men together. "There is immense hatred there," he said of the two presidents.
But we'll see what happens. I think in a fortnight, we'll know which direction I'm heading," the US president added.
Mr Trump also listed his options after this fortnight, saying he would decide whether to impose "massive sanctions" on Russia or simply abandon his mediation efforts and tell the two countries, "it's your fight."
Mr Trump had also mentioned on Thursday that he would make a decision within a fortnight, but he gave more details about his plans on Friday.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
