President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that plans are underway for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago during a gathering with Republican governors, Trump emphasized his commitment to addressing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“He wants to meet. And we’re setting it up,” Trump told Fox News’s Peter Doocy.
Trump explained that while he has maintained “a lot of communication” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders, he has not yet spoken with Putin.
“But President Putin wants to meet. He’s said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over with. That’s a bloody mess,” Trump said, referring to the devastating war in Ukraine that began in early 2022 when Russian forces launched an invasion.
Trump has pledged to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, vowing to bring Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the negotiating table.
The president-elect has portrayed himself as uniquely capable of ending the conflict, often highlighting his business acumen and prior relationships with world leaders.
However, Trump’s outreach to Putin has reignited criticism from Democrats, who have long accused him of being overly accommodating to the Russian leader.
Despite these criticisms, Trump’s supporters argue his approach to foreign policy prioritizes American interests and global stability.
Key Administration Nominees Announced
In addition to his foreign policy remarks, Trump unveiled a new slate of presumptive nominees for his incoming administration.
The appointments reflect Trump’s loyalty to his allies and his focus on advancing his “America First” agenda.
Among the notable picks is Christine Jack Toretti, Pennsylvania’s Republican National Committeewoman, who has been tapped to serve as ambassador to Sweden.
Toretti was previously nominated as ambassador to Malta during Trump’s first term but was never confirmed by the Senate.
Trump also announced civil rights attorney and frequent Fox News contributor Leo Terrell as his choice for senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice.
.jpg){kind=link}