U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has persisted for over four years, is "closer than people think." Trump confirmed that he will discuss the Ukraine issue during talks in Turkey this week on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
Trump made these remarks after conversations earlier this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite the ongoing attacks, including a missile and drone assault by Russia on Ukraine early Monday that claimed at least 28 lives, Trump did not provide a specific reason for his optimism about a resolution being imminent.
In a statement to journalists in the Oval Office, Trump said, "I think it’s (resolving the conflict) closer than people think. President Putin wants to end it. I am telling you that for sure."
Trump described a "good call" with Putin over the Fourth of July holiday, a conversation that a Kremlin aide said lasted 85 minutes. During the call, Trump reportedly offered his assistance in finding a path toward peace.
Trump added, "President Zelensky really wants to see this thing end now. We will be going to the NATO summit, and we will talk about it, and I think we’ll get it done... I think we'll finish it. It’s a terrible situation."
Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelensky tomorrow, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.