Trump: US will trade with Russia and Ukraine after the war ends

US President Donald Trump said that the United States expects to do business with both Russia and Ukraine after the war is over.

He made the statement on Saturday, October 24, while speaking with journalists after early voting in Palm Beach County, Florida, alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

“We would like to get back to a life where Russia and Ukraine make a deal, and then we can do business with both sides. Certainly, after this war is over, we will do business with both Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said.

The statement came in response to a question about Russia’s interest in investing in natural gas extraction in Alaska. The question was asked following reports of a sanctioned Russian energy company’s involvement in a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska. Trump himself offered no assessment of the investment question.

According to The New York Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin last month met with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and discussed possible cooperation on the Polar LNG project in Alaska. According to the Financial Times, the talks addressed a proposal under which Novatek would supply gas liquefaction technology and the US would in return lift sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project.

The Palm Beach Post noted that Trump’s tone was more neutral than earlier in the week. Previously, he had been pushing for a diesel fuel deal favorable to Moscow and had decided not to impose sanctions required under a law he had signed. Kyiv opposes the diesel deal, arguing that it helps finance Russia’s war.

Melania Trump, during the same press encounter, spoke about a local ceasefire for Aleshky — a city in southern Ukraine — in which she had helped broker.

“It’s great that the Pope is supporting us,” she said, adding that the ceasefire was set to begin on October 27. “Hopefully everything will go as planned.”

Donald Trump commented on her efforts: “I think she’s doing better than the professionals right now.” The White House had initially cited October 29 as the start date for the ceasefire. Russian and Ukrainian forces announced a ceasefire on October 27 at 01:00 GMT. Ukrainian negotiator Dmytro Lubinets said the plan consists of three stages: first a ceasefire, then delivery of aid, and then evacuation of civilians who wish to leave. According to Ukrainian authorities, around 1,700 civilians remain in the city.

The question of broader peace negotiations remains open. Volodymyr Zelensky said negotiators would meet again in November. According to Liga.net, a three-way meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the US could take place in the first ten days of the month.