Future US Presidential National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told ABC that preparations are underway for a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
“There are no clear plans yet, we are working on it. I expect a call at least in the coming days and weeks. That will be the first step and from that we will work,” Waltz explained in response to a question about whether Vladimir Zelensky will participate in the talks.
Waltz said that during the talks with the Ukrainian side there will definitely be talk about the number of servicemen and first of all about lowering the draft age.
“Since the Ukrainians are asking the whole world to go all the way for democracy, we expect them to go all the way <…> It’s not just about guns, ammunition and written checks,” Waltz said.
Waltz noted that he wanted to enter negotiations under a cease-fire and expects to do so soon. “That would be an incredibly positive step on both sides. And already it would allow us to enter into some negotiations,” he said.
The future adviser added that the whole world understands that the conflict must end diplomatically, but it is unrealistic to expect that the Russian military will somehow be pushed out of Ukraine and Crimea. Trump realizes this, and, according to Waltz, recognizing the realistic circumstances is a big step for the whole world.
