Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, stated on the 8th (local time) that Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, wants peace.
In a phone interview with the New York Post on the same day, Trump introduced his meeting with President Zelensky in Paris, France, saying, "He wants peace. This is new news." Trump added, "We did not discuss the details," but said, "President Zelensky seems to think the time has come."
He also offered an analysis that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, might now think it is time to end the war. Trump said, "Given the loss of 700,000 people, the time has come to end the war," and pointed out, "This situation will continue until peace comes." He went on to say, "I am devising a way to end this ridiculous war."
Trump explained that he raised the issue of NATO members' 'security free-riding' with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, who arranged the meeting with President Zelensky. He claimed, "I said NATO should pay its fair share, and President Macron agreed." Regarding the handshake with President Macron being perceived as a 'power struggle,' he said, "It was simply a firm handshake," and added, "President Macron knows that too."
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