Trump announced the approach of negotiations on Ukraine to the "critical stage"

US President Donald Trump has said that negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine are entering a "critical stage." He said this on March 17 during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

The American leader also stressed the importance of the upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We're going to have a very important phone conversation. We've had phone conversations, but we're approaching a critical stage. And we want to find a solution in this whole situation with Russia and Ukraine," he said.

At the same time, Trump pointed out that representatives of Ukraine are also interested in a settlement.

"Everyone wants this," he added.

Point of view: Russia is ready to react to a turn in relations with the United States in an unfavorable direction

What to expect from further contacts between Moscow and Washington on the Ukrainian settlement

The American leader said earlier that day that he was going to have a conversation with Putin on March 18. According to him, there are currently "good chances" to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt also pointed to the approach to peace in Ukraine. Also, according to Levitt, representatives of the United States and Ukraine discussed the issue of Kiev's cession of territories during the settlement.