Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Vladimir Putin, suggesting that the Russian leader may be stalling peace talks with Ukraine. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump expressed concern over recent heavy bombing by Russian forces and hinted that he is closely watching Putin’s actions. He stated, “We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little differently.”
Despite his strong words, Trump has refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia for now, claiming he wants to avoid complicating negotiations. However, he warned that his approach could change if the situation does not improve.
These remarks came just after Russia’s foreign minister announced a proposed date for a new round of talks with Ukraine, set for June 2 in Istanbul. The Kremlin hopes to present its proposals for a potential peace deal directly to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine’s defense minister responded, saying that while they are open to further discussions, they expect Russia to provide a written outline of their proposals beforehand.
Experts suggest that Russia’s offer for talks may be more about appearing committed to peace than a genuine desire for resolution. The recent increase in Russian attacks on Ukraine raises doubts about the sincerity of their proposal. Observers note that if Russia’s memorandum reflects their earlier demands, it may include conditions that are unacceptable to Ukraine, such as a requirement for Ukraine to remain neutral.
Additionally, tensions remain high as Russia accused Germany of becoming involved in the conflict by financing the production of long-range missiles for Ukraine. German officials have been cautious about committing to sending these missiles, which Ukraine’s president has requested.
As the conflict continues, both sides are ramping up military actions. Russia reported downing numerous Ukrainian drones in recent days, while Ukraine claimed to have targeted several of Russia’s weapon production sites. The situation remains fluid, with both diplomatic and military developments unfolding rapidly.