Trump says Russia-Ukraine deal could be close

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump has said a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could be close. According to The Express Tribune, he made the remarks ahead of the G20 meeting in December, which will be held at his Trump National Doral resort in Florida.

In an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, released on Saturday, Trump said there was a “pretty good chance” of the conflict being resolved. “I think we are getting very close to a deal there,” he said. He acknowledged that there is intense hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Asked about reports of a Russia-Ukraine deal at the G20, Trump did not rule out the possibility. He said talks could bring progress. He added that work was also under way on several other deals.

On Iran, Trump said the United States was firmly determined to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons. He claimed that Iran’s military capability had been badly weakened and that Washington would “finish” it.

On Cuba, he predicted that its communist leadership would not remain in power for long. He hinted that, after Venezuela, the United States could turn its attention to the island. He called Cuba a “failed country” and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was watching the situation closely.