Trump: I view the progress in the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul positively

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that U.S. President Donald Trump views the progress seen in the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul as positive.

Leavitt noted that they are following the talks held yesterday in Istanbul between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations and that the process there is important.

"I spoke with the President about this issue this morning. He views the progress we have seen (in Istanbul) positively. He had called on both leaders to sit down and talk directly to each other, and they have done so," said Leavitt, adding that Russia had presented a peace memorandum to the Ukrainian side and that progress had been made regarding which topics would be advanced in this process.

Stating that Trump very much wants the war to end but is quite realistic about this matter, the Press Secretary gave the message that they would closely follow the results of the Istanbul talks.

Leavitt said, "The President does not want this war to drag on any longer; he wants the fighting to stop and for this problem to be solved at the negotiating table."

"WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE UAV ATTACK"

On the other hand, Leavitt stated that Trump had no prior knowledge of the attack carried out by Ukraine against Russia using a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Touching upon the issue of potential sanctions against Russia, which has come to the agenda in the U.S. Congress, Leavitt emphasized that Trump wants to use sanctions "if necessary."

News Source: AA