Trump on Russia-Ukraine War: It's Time to Restore Peace

Trump said he and Macron had a very good meeting and agreed that Europe would make a much greater contribution to the cost of achieving peace in Ukraine and ensuring the long-term security of that country.

"It's time to restore peace in Ukraine, and I think we will do it," Trump said, adding that he had held meetings with both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy and that the process was progressing very positively.

Noting that Moscow was also willing to make a deal, Trump said, "It would be in Russia's best interest to make a deal, and I feel we will do that. The damage is done. This was a war that should never have been started."

MINING AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE IS CLOSE

"That's why we need to make a precious metals agreement with Ukraine. I think we've made a lot of progress on that," Trump said, emphasizing that this agreement is beneficial for both the United States and Ukraine.

Trump said that Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Russia-Ukraine talks was very important and said of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, "He is a wonderful young man, young but with a great imagination and someone who is highly respected all over the world."

Stating that there was no communication between Russia, Ukraine and the US before he took office, Trump said that the first thing he did when he took office was to meet with Putin and that as a result of the subsequent meetings, he saw that Russia also wanted peace.

"We're working on a deal right now. Whether it's a ceasefire or a direct deal, the goal is to stop the war. I would love to get a direct deal, but a ceasefire always happens a little bit quicker, so sometimes you save thousands of lives. So we want to see if we can do that very quickly," Trump said.

Stressing his desire to end the Russia-Ukraine War, Trump said, "I hope my greatest legacy will be as a peacemaker and a unifier, bringing peace, not war."

Europe will also share the cost for peace in Ukraine

Trump, in a joint press conference with Macron, noted that they had spent more than $300 billion on Ukraine to date and that Europe should play a greater role in the process leading to peace, and said:

"I am pleased that President Macron agrees that the costs and burdens of achieving peace in Ukraine will be borne not only by the United States but also by the nations of Europe. I am also pleased that he recognizes that Europe must play a central role in ensuring Ukraine's long-term security."

US President Trump also noted that the US spent much more than Europe on the Ukraine war, saying, "We spent more than $300 billion on the Ukraine war, while Europe spent $ 100 billion. We deserve to get that back."

Noting that there was a big difference between what the US spent and what Europe spent, Trump said they had to equalize it at some point.

When asked whether the US would contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine, Trump replied, "I guess that's a little bit of an odd question because you're asking whether we would contribute to Ukraine on behalf of the United States. We have a contribution of about $350 billion, which I think is a pretty big contribution."

"OUR COMMON GOAL IS LONG-TERM PEACE"

French President Macron, reminding that the war in Ukraine has entered its third year, said, "Our common goal is a solid and long-term peace." Praising the courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people, Macron said, "There must be strong guarantees for peace."

Macron emphasized that the US and France have always been on the "right side" throughout history, and that Europe will also be included in the process as a stronger and more reliable partner. Macron stated that they support the idea of ​​using Russia's frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Emphasizing that they remain committed to Ukraine's territorial integrity, Macron said, "We will address this issue as part of the negotiation process."

Macron thanked Trump for attending the opening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in December, where restoration work was completed after a fire that broke out about 5 years ago, and stated that geopolitical issues were his priority during his visit to the United States.

Stating that Ukraine's "resistance" against Russia was appreciated by everyone, Macron said, "No one wants to live in a world where the law of the strongest applies" regarding the war that has been going on for 3 years.

On the other hand, Macron stated that they shared Trump's "desire to build peace" for Ukraine and that they had made "significant progress" on this issue during their meetings with the US President.

Macron also expressed his pleasure that Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Noting that peace in Ukraine was “a necessity to save lives,” Macron said, “Peace does not mean the surrender of Ukraine and cannot be achieved without ceasefire (security) guarantees.”

Giving the message that they are ready to “do more” for Europe’s security and defense, Macron said, “I carry a clear message that Europe should be part of the security guarantees (for Ukraine).”

Macron also stressed that they want a “quick but not fragile agreement” that will establish peace in Ukraine.

We need US support for security guarantees

Stating that he “cut off communication with Putin after the war crimes in Bucha”, where many civilians died in attacks in 2022, because they could not receive a positive response from Putin to his calls for dialogue, Macron said that Trump had “good reasons” to establish contacts with Putin.

"Discussion and negotiation are good things, but in the short term we must try to obtain security guarantees. We need American support for this," Macron said.

Sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

Regarding the issue of sending troops to Ukraine, where there are reports in the press that there are disagreements between European states, Macron said, "Once a permanent and solid peace that has been negotiated and signed between Ukraine and Russia, and of which we are collective guarantors, is achieved, we, as England and France, say 'we are ready'."

Stating that sending peacekeeping forces to this country after peace is established is still being negotiated among European states, Macron stated that these troops will not be deployed on the border or in regions where conflicts are taking place and will undertake the mission of "guarantors of peace."