Trump called high oil prices an obstacle to ending the conflict in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has expressed the opinion that the conflict in Ukraine will not be ended "simply" as long as oil prices in the world remain high. He made the corresponding statement to journalists on January 24 upon his arrival in North Carolina to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helen.
According to him, if OPEC reduces oil prices, it will automatically stop the conflict.
"We would like OPEC to lower oil prices and that would automatically stop the tragedy going on in Ukraine," he said, broadcast by the US TV channel LiveNOW from Fox on its YouTube channel.
The day before, on January 23, Trump announced his intention to ask OPEC and Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices, including to pressure Russia on Ukraine. According to him, if the organization fulfills his request, the Ukrainian conflict will supposedly be over.
On the same day, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov said that Trump has no leverage to pressure Russia. The senator emphasized that it is useless to talk from a position of strength with Moscow.
Before that, on January 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was open to a dialog with the new US presidential administration on the Ukrainian conflict. At the same time, the goal of the settlement is not a brief truce, but a long-term peace based on respect for people's legitimate interests, he emphasized.
The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.
