Trump predicts a ‘big, beautiful agreement’ that might involve all of Europe
President Donald Trump met at the White House with Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, and told reporters the sides were close to reaching a deal.
“It’s going to be an agreement. It’s going to be a big agreement, and it’s going to involve more than Ukraine,” Trump said. “I could even say it might involve all of Europe. It’s going to be a big, beautiful agreement, and everyone’s going to be thrilled.”
The meeting came as the administration ramps up efforts to secure an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, just days before the United States leads a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi next week.
Trump’s meeting followed a White House ceremony at which first lady Melania Trump hosted a rare meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials to recognize a temporary ceasefire in southeastern Ukraine. The six-day pause in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky expired on Sunday. The temporary reprieve enabled humanitarian aid to reach the city while allowing hundreds of residents to be evacuated.
“We have chosen humanity over war,” the first lady said. “Undeniably, the lives of innocent people must transcend the divisions of war. I hope Oleshky inspires greater peace.”
In helping broker the temporary ceasefire and bringing together representatives of the two sides in acknowledgement of the human costs of the war, Melania Trump has accomplished something that has so far eluded her husband. The White House sees the effort as a diplomatic breakthrough, but some European analysts worry the efforts can backfire.
Dmitriev thanked the first lady. He said Putin personally gave the instructions to ensure the successful implementation of the ceasefire.
“On behalf of President Putin, on behalf of the people of the Russian Federation, we would like to thank first lady Melania Trump for her distinguished humanitarian role in resolving a key situation and resolving this humanitarian issue,” Dmitriev said.
Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets presented Melania Trump with an award for her humanitarian work: the Order of Princess Olha, 1st Class, Ukraine’s highest award for women.
“I have only one request from all Ukrainian nation,” Lubinets said, “please continue doing your wonderful work and support people.”
Heather Conley, who worked on European issues in President George W. Bush’s State Department and is now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said she supports all efforts to help suffering Ukrainians but that the United States must be careful not to normalize Russia’s bad behavior.
“In this White House ceremony, we were honoring the Russians that were the cause of both the occupation of Oleshky, the starvation of Oleshky, and now we’re honoring them for allowing aid to come into Oleshky,” Conley said. “The more we create this equivalency where the Russians and the Ukrainians are equal in this crisis, it is putting this thing upside down.”