NNA - The New York Post newspaper quoted US President Donald Trump as saying that he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to Sky News Arabia.

When reporters asked Trump on board "Air Force One" how many times he had spoken with Putin, he said, "I'd rather not say." Trump added to the New York Post newspaper, "He (Putin) wants no more deaths."

In late January, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was ready to make a phone call with Trump and that Moscow was waiting for word from Washington that it was also ready.

Trump said on Friday that he would likely meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky within days to discuss ending the war.

In statements to the New York Post newspaper, Trump said that he "always had a good relationship with Putin" and that he had a concrete plan to end the war. But he did not reveal further details.

Trump added, "I hope it happens quickly. People are dying every day. This war is very bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing."

Kremlin response
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not "confirm or deny" reports of a conversation between Putin and Trump.

"While the administration in Washington continues its work, there are many different contacts. These contacts are conducted through different channels. Of course, in wake of the multiplicity of these contacts, I may not be personally aware of something...Therefore, in this case, I cannot confirm or deny it," he added.

=============