President-elect Donald Trump said he is planning a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he wants to end the "bloody mess" of the Ukraine war.

Vladimir Putin is reportedly facing growing anger from Russia's elite, who want the war in Ukraine to end. People at the top of the country's society are also worried about the Russian economy, it is believed, as Western sanctions take their toll.

President-elect Trump said late Thursday that a meeting is in the works with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. Why it matters: Trump said on the campaign trail that he would swiftly end the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.

The president-elect had said Russia’s leader wanted to meet him to discuss the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin said it welcomed such dialogue, but a meeting could occur only after Mr. Trump took office.

President-elect Donald Trump said late Thursday he is ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that the meeting is currently being arranged, though he gave no timeline for when it might take place.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.

Russia shoots down 40 Ukrainian drones over six of its regions. Ten days before his arrival at the White House, Donald Trump has revealed that he is preparing a meeting with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin,

Ahead of Trump's inauguration on January 20, the President-elect has said he is planning a meeting with Russia's leader, which the Kremlin has denied.

Donald Trump said on Jan. 9 that Vladimir Putin wants to meet with him, and that preparations for a meeting are underway.