Source: European Pravda news agency
Headline: Rubio Reports: Trump Seeks to Meet with Vladimir Putin as Soon as Possible to Advance Peace and Diplomatic Negotiations The focus is on the new objectives of the American leadership regarding the resolution of the conflict in Eastern Europe. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump is expressing a strong desire to organize an in-person meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as soon as possible. In a televised interview on CBS News, he stated that this initiative is one of the main goals of the White House's diplomacy. Rubio emphasized that such a format of negotiations is the only effective way to progress in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Speaking on this topic, he underlined that President Trump personally proposed holding the meeting at the earliest opportunity, as diplomacy through individual talks has a significantly greater chance of producing results. "Organizing such a meeting requires effort and preparation, so it's too early to specify a date or location. But what is important — it is the President who is most actively pursuing this," Rubio noted. According to him, internal consultations are currently underway regarding preparations for a possible meeting, and although details are still being coordinated, Trump has already shown interest in it for a long time. On the same day, it was announced that the US President had scheduled a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, set to take place on Monday, May 19. Following this, the White House plans to speak with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him about the negotiations' progress and possibly coordinate further actions. In Trump’s view, the conflict in eastern Ukraine is not just a military issue but also a depletion of the possibilities and emotions of the Russian leadership, including Vladimir Putin. In this context, the American President believes that Russian leaders are already tired of the war and are seeking avenues for peace. Trump asserts that achieving sustainable peace is only possible through the personal involvement of Putin, as it would allow to overcome diplomatic and political barriers more effectively. Highlighting the importance of personal negotiations, Trump and his team demonstrate a clear desire to avoid lengthy and complicated procedures through bureaucratic mechanisms. This indicates a strategic intention to accelerate the diplomatic process and find a swift path to de-escalation in the region. It is also known that the administration aims to lay the groundwork for long-term peace and stability, gaining support from global partners. Thus, American senior officials are actively working to bring the main players to the negotiating table as soon as possible. Regardless of the format and specific details, the main goal is to create conditions for ending hostilities and finding pathways to peace — and in this process, personal high-level meetings can play a crucial role.