President Donald Trump welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Thursday, where the two men emphasized their discussion about peace in Eastern Europe and trade between the U.S. and Norway.
Trump warmly complimented Store as a “great gentleman, very respected, beloved in this country” and highlighted their two main topics of conversation: the war between Russia and Ukraine and the trade situation between the U.S. and Norway.
Trump said America was “doing very well, I think, on both.”
He spoke about the importance of ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, noting, “…We want to end that war, we want to end it quickly…and I think we’ve made a lot of progress.”
These newest comments come just after President Trump slammed Russia for firing missiles into Kyiv this week, even as peace negotiations are ongoing, as reported by RSBN.
“I have saluted the president for his initiative to make progress toward something that can be a ceasefire,” Store said.
He added, “We have exchanged ideas on that, and I think the president and his team have been open to hear our perspectives, and on trade, we have also emphasized how we can benefit – both of us – by trading, we can be complementary.”
Store also said he appreciated the “president’s spirit and the tone of this conversation.”
Despite numerous questions from the peace regarding “what if” scenarios in the war between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump reiterated his belief that both countries were ready for peace.
“I believe they will accept,” he said.
However, he noted that he “wasn’t happy” with President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s decision to strike Kyiv.
“I didn’t like it last night, I wasn’t happy with it, and we’re in the midst of talking peace and missiles were fired,” he said.
He also explained that “we’re putting a LOT of pressure on Russia.”
On whether Russia itself is now the obstacle to peace, Trump responded, “I don’t think so, I think that they both want peace right now.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was also present at the bilateral meeting, commented that the war overseas was “endable,” but noted “we’ve shown them the finish line, we need both of them to say yes.”
He lauded the president’s efforts as a “peacemaker” and said, “we’re trying to end the dying, we’re trying to end the destruction…they have to ultimately say yes.”
When the press asked President Trump if he had found common ground with PM Store on the war between Ukraine and Russia, Trump said, “Totally…he wants to see people stop dying more than anything else.”
PM Store added that to move toward a resolution in this conflict, U.S. engagement was “critical.”
He continued, “Ukraine is under attack, they are defending themselves, lives are being lost, there needs to be a ceasefire…it is a bad thing for Europe and it’s a bad thing for the world.”
Store added, “It can have ramifications for beyond Ukraine.”
Despite Russian aggression this week, President Trump remained confident.
“I think we’re getting very close [to a deal], the prime minister feels the same way,” Trump said.
