President Trump: Russia holds the cards in Ukraine negotiations

According to RIA Novosti, speaking at the White House, US President Donald Trump said that Russia holds the initiative in negotiations on Ukraine.

"I think that in the context of reaching a final agreement, dealing with Russia is easier. This is surprising, because they hold all the upper hand" - President Donald Trump said on March 7 (Washington time).

According to the White House owner, he believes in the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach an agreement with Ukraine. At the same time, Mr. Trump noted that he has always had a good relationship with the Russian leader.

Asked whether the Russian president would take advantage of the US halting arms and intelligence supplies to Ukraine, President Trump said: “No, I don’t think so. He’s just doing what anybody else would do in his position. I think the Russian leader wants this to end.”

Regarding Ukraine, President Trump said that dealing with Kiev is more difficult than dealing with Moscow. Ukraine does not have a trump card in negotiations to resolve the conflict.

According to Mr. Trump, further US support for Ukraine will depend on the country's readiness to negotiate peace:

“I have to make sure they want to make a deal. If not, we’re going to walk away, because it’s important for us to make a deal,” President Trump said.

Mr. Donald Trump believes that without his participation, a peaceful resolution of the conflict would have no chance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Artem Dmitruk said on Telegram that the more countries that join the peace talks, the more it will cost Ukraine. The politician expressed regret that Kiev did not accept Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's invitation to sit at the negotiating table.

“Now the whole world is tearing Ukraine apart and everyone wants to claim a piece for themselves, regardless of whether they have bases or not. And the more people involved, the more complicated and expensive this process becomes,” Dmitruk said.