In a significant development, former President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine and Russia to engage in high-level negotiations, asserting that the two sides are “very close” to reaching a peace agreement after more than three years of devastating warfare.
Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, shortly after arriving in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis. He revealed that talks between the parties had been productive, and his special envoy, real estate executive Steve Witkoff, had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier that day.
“They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW,” Trump emphasized. He also offered U.S. assistance in facilitating any final agreements necessary to bring an end to the conflict.
Trump Signals Support for Concessions, Stirs Controversy
Trump’s call for renewed negotiations comes alongside controversial remarks suggesting that Ukraine may have to cede Crimea to Russia as part of any peace settlement. Speaking in an interview released Friday, Trump stated, “Crimea will stay with Russia,” underscoring that the territory has long been under Russian influence and control.
This stance has sparked concern among Ukrainian officials, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that recognizing Russian sovereignty over any occupied Ukrainian territory remains an unacceptable “red line.” Crimea, a strategically vital peninsula along the Black Sea, was annexed by Russia in 2014, preceding the full-scale invasion launched in 2022.
When questioned by journalists about Trump’s statement, Zelenskyy refrained from direct criticism but reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering position on its territorial integrity.
Complex Dynamics: Frustration and High Stakes
The former President has increasingly accused Ukraine of stalling peace efforts by refusing to make concessions. Meanwhile, European leaders argue that it is Putin, not Zelenskyy, who has delayed genuine negotiations — using ongoing attacks to try to seize additional Ukrainian territory.
Tensions are mounting as the U.S. administration weighs its next moves. Senior officials have warned that unless a settlement is achieved soon, Washington could reconsider its commitment to providing military aid to Ukraine — a shift that would have profound implications for the conflict’s future.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Rome, Trump emphasized urgency but avoided setting a firm deadline. “I just want to do it as fast as possible,” he said, adding that negotiators were “pretty close” to finalizing terms.
There was also speculation that Trump might meet with Zelenskyy while in Rome, but Ukrainian officials later indicated that a meeting was unlikely due to scheduling conflicts.
Witkoff-Putin Meetings Gain Momentum
Steve Witkoff’s diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent months. His latest meeting with Putin marked the second time they’ve convened in April alone, and the fourth meeting since February.
During these discussions, Witkoff and Putin explored the possibility of restarting direct negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Notably, diplomatic talks between the two nations have largely stalled since the early days following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
In an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed Trump’s optimism, confirming that negotiations were progressing but cautioning that some details still needed to be “fine-tuned.”
The Reality on the Ground: Escalating Violence
Despite diplomatic chatter, violence on the ground continues unabated. On Friday, Russian forces launched a devastating drone strike on an apartment complex in Pavlohrad, in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, killing three civilians, including a child and a 76-year-old woman, and injuring at least 10 others.
Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting more than 100 drones overnight across multiple regions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials highlighted that Thursday’s massive missile and drone assault on Kyiv, which killed 12 and wounded nearly 90, was used as a diversionary tactic — enabling Russia to ramp up its ground attacks across a sprawling 1,000-kilometer front.
President Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal over a month ago. However, he lamented that Russian forces had continued their aggressive operations without pause.
“When our forces were heavily focused on defending against missile and drone attacks, Russian troops intensified their ground assaults,” Zelenskyy shared on Telegram.
Conclusion
As Trump presses for a swift resolution to the Ukraine-Russia war, questions remain over the true readiness of both sides to compromise. With U.S. support hanging in the balance and ground battles intensifying, the next few weeks could prove critical for the fate of the conflict — and for the future of Eastern Europe.
