Trump's early diplomacy: First talks with Putin planned
Donald Trump plans to have a conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the first days after his inauguration as President of the USA, reported CNN. Preparations for the conversation and potential meeting have been underway for several weeks.
- The talk will focus on ending the war in Ukraine - informed a CNN source. Trump has repeatedly assured that he will end Russia's war against Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. However, his associates later stated that it would require more time.
ABC News reported that when asked last week whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would also participate in a potential meeting with Putin, Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, did not provide a definitive answer.
The "Washington Post" reported in November that Trump had already spoken by phone with Putin on 7 October 2024, shortly after winning the elections. He reportedly urged to prevent an escalation of the war. The Kremlin denied these reports, calling them "pure fiction."
Donald Trump's presidential inauguration
Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the President of the USA at noon local time (5:00 PM GMT), after which he will deliver an address where presidents traditionally set the tone for their term. In an interview with NBC News, he announced that the speech's motto will be "community and strength, and the word: justice."
For the first time in 40 years, this ceremony will not take place on the steps in front of the east entrance of the Capitol but inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Low temperatures (-4°C with a wind chill of -13°C) explained the change. For the first time in history, foreign leaders, including Argentina's President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Georgia's President Salome Zurabishvili, will attend the ceremony in person.
After the inauguration and artistic performances - including a performance by country star Carrie Underwood - Trump will deliver the inaugural address.
