Trump Claims Productive Talks with Putin Amid Ukrainian Military Claims
Donald Trump praised discussions with Putin regarding Ukraine but claimed Ukrainian troops were encircled, which Ukraine denied. Steve Witkoff, a Trump ally, led talks over a ceasefire proposal, but conditions from Putin complicate the situation. U.S. intelligence suggests Putin is committed to dominating Ukraine as Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s negotiation tactics.
Donald Trump stated that the U.S. had “very good and productive discussions” with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict, despite this assertion being met with skepticism from the Ukrainian military and independent analysts. Trump claimed that thousands of Ukrainian troops were surrounded by Russian forces, a position disputed by Ukrainian sources.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump expressed optimism that the conflict could soon end, following late-night talks between Steve Witkoff, a Trump ally, and Putin. The White House clarified that it was Witkoff who had the discussions with Putin, not Trump. Kyiv has accepted a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, though Putin imposed several conditions, including a halt to Ukraine’s rearmament during the truce.
Trump reiterated claims from Putin regarding Russian forces encircling Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, stating they were in a “bad and vulnerable position.” He urged Putin to spare their lives, noting that a massacre could occur. However, Ukraine’s military dismissed encirclement claims as false, emphasizing that their forces have strategically withdrawn to advantageously defensive positions.
Military analysts and Ukrainian officials stated that rumors of encirclement were overstated, and operations in the Kursk region have been characterized by a tactical withdrawal instead. Moreover, some Russian pro-war bloggers rejected the claims of encirclement, indicating a lack of evidence for such a development. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged communication between Trump and Putin about a potential ceasefire but clarified that a conversation’s details were yet to be established.
U.S. intelligence reportedly believes that Putin remains focused on dominating Ukraine, with the Washington Post noting an intelligence report stating his intention to maintain control over Kyiv. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia’s conditions for a ceasefire complicate peace efforts, asserting that the Kremlin is seeking to prolong the war and hinder diplomacy.
In summary, Donald Trump’s claims regarding discussions with Putin and the situation of Ukrainian troops are contested by Ukrainian authorities and military analysts. While a ceasefire proposal is in discussions, significant skepticism surrounds the Russian military’s reported encirclement of Ukrainian forces. The overarching sentiment remains that Russia aims to extend the conflict, complicating efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
