DONALD Trump is set to fly in person to Saudi Arabia as he said he will get the peace deal back on track between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, the President said it is getting “more difficult” to deal with Kyiv
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House in WashingtonCredit: ReutersHe said it “may be easier” to deal with Moscow, despite recognising that Putin holds “all the cards”.
But, Trump maintains his belief he will get the conflict “settled and stopped”.
When quizzed over Russia’s intentions to end the war, Trump said he does believe Putin is “committed to peace”.
He added: “I do believe Putin wants peace. I think we’re doing very well with Russia.”
Trump also said that Russia is “bombing the hell” out of Ukraine to take advantage of his weapon and intelligence pause to Kyiv.
He said Putin is doing what “anyone else would do”.
“But right now they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine.
“Ukraine has to get on the ball and get the job done.”
Echoing Trump’s statement on a peace deal, advisor Mike Waltz said that he expects things to get “back on track” with Ukraine.
Trump is expected to be in Saudi Arabia in the spring after Riyadh agreed to invest $1 trillion in American companies over the next four years.
He said: “They’ve gotten richer, we’ve all gotten older. So I said, ‘I’ll go if you pay a $1 trillion to American companies… over a four-year period.
“They’ve agreed to do that, so I’m going to be going there… probably over the next month and a half.”
Trump is also expected to bring up the war in Ukraine during his visit.
Meanwhile, top diplomats from the US including Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks on ending the war.
Zelensky will not be meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week for peace talks as both sides try to build back their damaged relationship.
The talks set to take place in Jeddah, will see his team meet with Americans while the President returns to Kyiv after meeting the crown prince.
In a post he said: “Next week, on Monday, my trip to Saudi Arabia is planned to meet with the crown prince.
“After that my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace.
“As we conveyed to president Trump Ukraine is working and will continue working exclusively in a constructive manner to reach a quick and stable peace.”
Sanctions blast
Earlier today, Trump accused Vlad’s forces of “pounding” the cities – and said he was “strongly considering” a tough new regime of sanctions and tariffs.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
His blasting post on is his most direct attack on the Russians since he steered his new administration into the role of peacemaker.
Trump’s past comments, including labelling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator,” fuelled speculation that he was siding with Moscow, and he has previously cast doubt on continued US support for Ukraine.
But this latest statement now marks a decisive pivot, suggesting Trump is now willing to exert economic pressure on Russia to ensure long-term peace.
Russia has been blitzing Ukraine with massive overnight strikes, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.
Just last night, Nato was forced to scramble fighter jets after Moscow launched a massive missile drone strike on Ukrainian gas facilities.
Mad dictator Putin sent up his Tu-95MS strategic bombers from an Arctic airfield to launch devastating strikes, impacting Ukrainian civilians.
The overnight missile blitz came after Ukrainians were left raging after Trump axed sharing intelligence – leaving Kyiv’s troops “fighting blind”.
The Nato fighter planes were on alert to shoot down any Russian missiles entering Polish airspace as tensions continue to spiral between Europe, Russia and the US.
Zelensky had proposed an aerial truce with Moscow following the overnight attack and having met with EU leaders at the summit yesterday.
In a social media post, Zelensky called for “silence in the skies – a ban on the use of missiles, long-range drones and bombs.
“And also silence at sea – a real guarantee of normal navigation.”
Can Europe fill the gap?
Yesterday, leaders gathered at an emergency EU summit in Brussels and signalled that a £670 billion war chest will be amassed to help Ukraine in the war against Russia.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called it a “watershed moment” for Europe and Ukraine.
And British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that a “coalition of the willing” would come together and devise a peace plan to end the bloody war.
An overwhelming 20 countries are now lined up to join to protect against further Russian aggression.
France’s defence minister confirmed that his country was continuing to provide Ukraine with military intelligence.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/13723794/trump-saudi-arabia-ukraine-putin-zelensky/