Putin expresses satisfaction over recent U.S.-Russia talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he was pleased with the results of the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, while a rift between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is raising concerns of its potential impact on the negotiation talks.

Lee Seung-jae reports.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the outcome of the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, the Russian leader expressed satisfaction, saying that he rates the talks "highly."

"I rate them highly; there are results. They were open to the negotiating process without prejudice and condemnation of what has been done in the past."

When asked about the exclusion of Ukraine from the recent talks in Saudi Arabia, Putin said Ukraine would not be excluded in future talks.

"As for the negotiating process, President Trump told me during our phone call, I can confirm it, that, of course, the U.S. assumes that both Russia and Ukraine will take part in the negotiating process. Nobody is excluding Ukraine from this process. So, there are no reasons for such a reaction to the Russia-U.S. meeting."

However, a war of words between the leaders of the U.S. and Ukraine is raising concerns of its potential impact on future negotiations.

After the conclusion of the U.S.-Russia talks U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public approval rating was "down to 4%."

Zelenskyy responded that Trump was living in a "space of disinformation," and expressed hopes that the U.S. leader and his team get a "clearer understanding" of what's really going on in Ukraine.

Ukraine was not the only country left out of the recent negotiation talks.

European countries were also absent, forcing their leaders to hold their own emergency meeting.

The major talking point has been whether or not the European allies of Ukraine should send troops for further assistance.

Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland expressed reluctance,.. however, the UK said it is prepared to send its forces to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit the U.S. next week, hopeful they too can take part in negotiations to end the Ukraine war.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.