Trump Seeks Quick Resolution to Russia-Ukraine Conflict After Zelenskyy Meeting
President Donald Trump expressed an eagerness to finalize a deal to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war within “two weeks or less.” However, he later indicated that a slight extension might also be acceptable.
Meeting in Vatican City
This deadline follows a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which took place in Vatican City while both leaders attended Pope Francis’ funeral. Reflecting on their discussions, Trump stated, “I think the meeting went well; we’ll see what happens over the next few days. We’ll probably learn a lot.”
Concerns Over Ongoing Attacks
Despite Trump’s optimism, he expressed disappointment regarding Russia’s continuation of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, occurring shortly after he had urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities during ongoing negotiations.
Discussions About Military Aid
When reporters inquired about the meeting’s content, Trump revealed that Zelenskyy had underscored the need for increased military support. “He told me that he needs more weapons, and we’re going to see what happens,” said Trump.
Furthermore, when asked what he expected from Putin, Trump remarked, “I want him to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal. We have the confines of a deal I believe, and I want him to sign it and be done with it.”
Complications Surrounding Crimea
Addressing the complex issue of Crimea, which has been under Russian control since 2014, Trump acknowledged it would be a difficult situation to navigate. He attributed part of the predicament to former President Barack Obama’s failure to address the annexation and suggested that Ukraine might eventually concede the territory. “I think so,” Trump answered when asked if he believed Ukraine would forfeit Crimea.
Optimism from U.S. Officials
Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented that the prospects for a peace deal seemed to be improving, albeit still lacking finalization. He indicated that the U.S. would soon need to assess whether to engage further as mediators in the negotiations. “I think they’re closer in general than they’ve been any time in the last three years, but it’s still not there,” Rubio mentioned.
Concerns Over Trust and Verification
Rubio was pressed on the reliability of trusting Putin not to invade Ukraine or other European countries again. He emphasized that peace agreements must not rely on trust but rather on verifiable actions and guarantees. “Peace deals have to be built on verification,” he stated.
Warnings from Senate Leadership
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern over Trump’s negotiation style, suggesting he feared Trump might yield to Putin, potentially compromising Ukraine’s position. “If we cave to Putin, it would be a moral tragedy,” Schumer cautioned, asserting that this could undermine U.S. credibility globally.
Potential Sanctions Against Russia
In response to the ongoing conflict, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicated that the U.S. may implement further sanctions against Russia as part of their strategy to compel a resolution. He noted that the administration is considering actions targeting the banking and energy sectors to ensure both sides return to negotiations.