President Trump says he plans to sit for an interview with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally added to a group chat last month with several top administration officials who discussed an upcoming strike on terrorists in Yemen.
Trump said Goldberg and two other journalists at The Atlantic are writing a story titled "The Most Consequential President of this Century."
"I am doing this interview out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if it's possible for The Atlantic to be 'truthful,' " Trump posted on TruthSocial.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Goldberg, most notably for a 2020 story that quoted an anonymous source accusing the president of calling fallen soldiers "suckers and losers."
However, Trump acknowledged Goldberg was "somewhat more successful" with his story about how he was mistakenly included on the Signal chat last month with national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others.
MEANWHILE…
Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday after Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in almost a year.
"I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!"
Russia's missile and drone attacks killed at least nine people and wounded 70 more, including six children, according to Ukrainian officials.
This comes as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine enter a pivotal phase.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of litigating the negotiations in the press and of being obstinate for drawing a red line by declaring Ukraine would not accept a deal that recognizes Russia's occupation of Crimea.
Trump and other senior administration officials have repeatedly said the U.S. is preparing to walk away from negotiations if a deal can't be struck soon.
"I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast," Trump said Thursday in the Cabinet Room next to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Trump was asked Thursday what concessions Russia has been asked to make.
"Stopping the war, stopping from taking the whole country, pretty big concession," he responded.
Zelensky on Wednesday night posted on X, saying while "emotions have run high" he appreciates meaningful contributions from the U.S. in seeking an end to the war.
"The American side shared its vision," Zelensky said. "Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace."
He then posted a 2018 statement from Trump's former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying the U.S. would not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.
There have been media reports alleging the proposed U.S. peace deal would reward Russia for its invasion by ceding additional Ukrainian territory and through the lifting of sanctions on Russia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, rejecting a report published by Politico.
"What was put before our partners was options to discuss things it would take to end the war," Rubio said in the Oval Office on Thursday. "This war is endable. Both sides just have to agree to it…we've shown them a pathway forward. We've discussed those ideas. It was a good meeting yesterday, there will be good meetings over the weekend. We've shown them the finish line. We need them to both say yes."
Trump said last week that the minerals deal with Ukraine would be signed by today, but there have been no announcements on that front.
No comments:
Post a Comment