Trump Urges High-Level Talks Between Ukraine and Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump has called for immediate high-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting that both sides are close to finalizing a deal to end the ongoing conflict that has persisted for three years.
Recent Developments in Peace Efforts
Following his arrival in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump expressed optimism on his Truth Social account, indicating that “most of the major points are agreed to” and pressing for an end to the violence. He stated, “Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, further highlighting the U.S. administration’s engagement in the peace process.
Controversial Stance on Crimea
In a related interview, Trump stated emphatically, “Crimea will stay with Russia,” which highlights his approach to pushing Ukraine towards concessions during the ongoing siege. He urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “IMMEDIATELY” sign an agreement to grant U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Zelenskyy responded cautiously to Trump’s remarks, reiterating that recognizing any occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian is a point of no compromise for Ukraine.
Ongoing Military Actions
As diplomatic discussions unfold, violence in Ukraine has not ceased. On the same day Trump made his comments, a Russian drone strike killed three civilians in Pavlohrad, illustrating the grave situation on the ground.
Ukrainian officials reported that recent aerial attacks have intensified, with significant strikes on civilian targets in various regions.
Potential for Negotiation Deadlock
Despite Trump’s assertions of positive momentum, progress towards peace remains tenuous. Both Western European leaders and U.S. officials have accused each side of intransigence. Trump himself has indicated that there is no set timeline for negotiations; his goal is simply to expedite the process.
As America considers its next steps, there are concerns that aid to Ukraine could diminish if negotiations fail to produce results, creating uncertainty for the future of military support.