Trump: Ukraine Will Decide Regional Exchange With Russia

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump stressed he would not negotiate on behalf of Ukraine in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin today.

Trump will let Kyiv decide whether to engage in the regional exchange with Russia.

Trump said the goal was to encourage both sides to start negotiations, with any regional exchange to be discussed later.

"They will discuss it, but I have to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they will make the right decision. However, I am not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I am here to bring them together," Trump told reporters at Air Force One.

"He (Putin) is an intelligent person, has been involved in this field for a long time, we are getting along, there is a sense of mutual respect for the good on both sides, and I think, you know, something will happen," he said.

Trump said Putin brought along business executives from Russia as a good sign, but said no deal could be made until the war ended.

"I like it because they want to do business, but they won't be doing business until the war ends," he said.