Donald Trump has recently stated that a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine is "very close." He urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take action and finalize the agreement. This comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from high-level talks in London aimed at resolving the conflict.
Trump expressed frustration with Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform. He emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to act, saying, "The man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE." Trump believes he can help both Ukraine and Russia escape the turmoil, suggesting that the conflict would not have escalated if he were still in office.
During his remarks, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for his refusal to consider giving up Crimea in peace talks. He claimed that such "inflammatory statements" make it harder to negotiate peace and asserted that Zelenskyy has little to show for his efforts.
The American president’s peace plan reportedly includes recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. Trump stated, "The situation for Ukraine is dire – He can have peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country."
Later, at the White House, Trump reiterated his belief that a deal could be reached with Russia, but he found dealing with Zelenskyy more challenging than expected. He hinted at a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the future.
The London talks on the war have been described as downgraded, with only a few officials attending after Rubio’s withdrawal. The UK Foreign Office reported that significant progress was made during the discussions, with all parties expressing support for Trump’s commitment to achieving peace.
Zelenskyy responded to the day’s events by acknowledging the high emotions but emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue among all sides involved. He reaffirmed that Ukraine would act according to its constitution and shared a declaration from former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which rejected Russia’s claim to Crimea.
The backdrop to these discussions includes ongoing violence in Ukraine. Recent reports indicate that a Russian drone strike in Marhanets killed nine people and injured nearly 50. Additionally, a massive drone attack in the Poltava region left at least six people injured. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of the conflict.