Trump Affirms He'll Meet Putin 'Very Quickly' After Inauguration

US President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin "very quickly" after being sworn in on January 20, he said in a Monday interview. He was interviewed by conservative news outlet Newsmax and was asked about specifics on his strategy to end the Ukraine war, to which Trump replied "there is only one strategy, and it’s up to Putin."

Trump explained, "I can’t imagine he's too thrilled with the way it’s gone, because it hasn’t gone exactly well for him either."

"I know he [Putin] wants to meet, and I'm going to meet very quickly," the president-elect said. "I would have done it sooner, but… you have to get into the office." These words came the day after Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), told ABC News that "the preparations are underway" for a meeting between Trump and the Russian leader.

"I do expect a call … at least in the coming days and weeks," Waltz said. "So, that would be a step, and we’ll take it from there."