President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he’s giving “two weeks” for Ukraine and Russia to make a deal as Kyiv is losing too many people to continue fighting amid the ongoing war with Russia, adding that he’s disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing the conflict after peace negotiation talks.
Why It Matters
Trump pledged during the 2024 U.S. presidential election that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours if he won, but nearly 100 days into his second administration, a deal has yet to materialize.
Tensions boiled over when Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued in front of reporters in the Oval Office in late February, leading Zelensky to prematurely depart from the White House without signing a much-touted deal to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals.
Relations continued to worsen, and the lack of progress prompted Trump to say that he would consider walking away from negotiations entirely. However, Trump and Zelensky spoke privately when both attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday, and a reset of relations appeared to take place.
Trump then posted a rare criticism of Putin on Truth Social, writing in part: “…There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”
What To Know
Trump stopped to speak to reporters, as he has frequently done since returning to office, and addressed questions about the status of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
In a rare rebuke of Putin, Trump told reporters: “I am very disappointed in Russia. Putin needs to stop shooting and reach a deal,” adding that Putin started shooting missiles at civilian targets despite discussions.
When asked whether Trump trusts Putin, the president said he would “let you know in about two weeks.”
When pressed about what “two weeks” would mean, Trump said: “Two weeks or less, and if it’s a little more at the time, I say they’re losing a lot of people. We have three, four thousand people dying every week.”
He later described seeing satellite images of “body parts laying all over the field,” calling the images “horrible” and that “it can’t get any worse.” He told reporters that he has “a lot of things” he can do for punitive measures should Russia continue resisting progress towards a deal.
Trump also pushed back against the idea that he and Zelensky had any kind of falling out after their Oval Office blowup, instead saying “it was never bad”, and they merely had a “dispute” but now he sees Zelensky as “calmer” and that he “wants to make a deal.”
“He’s in a tough situation, a very tough situation,” Trump said. “He’s been fighting a much bigger force, much bigger, and that force has not been very distinguished.”
Trump also said he believes Zelensky is ready to concede on Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, and blamed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for Crimea, saying “go ask [them]” about the territory.
What People Are Saying
Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday: “I think that Putin thinks that America has taken the bullet train to chump town. I think he thinks we’re afraid of him. He has jacked around President Trump at every turn. He has disrespected our president. I don’t think it’s going to get any better until we make it clear to Mr. Putin that we are willing to turn him and his country into fish food – and I’m not talking about nuclear weapons or nuclear war. I would start with oil.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday regarding his meeting with Trump: “Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you @POTUS.”
Russian President Vladmir Putin said during a Saturday meeting, according to Russian state media Tass: “The Kiev regime’s venture has failed completely while the huge losses suffered by the enemy, in particular, those among the most combat-fit, best prepared and equipped Ukrainian army units, including the formations provided with Western equipment—and these are assault units and special operations forces—will undoubtedly have their impact along the entire engagement line.”
What Happens Next?
Negotiations will continue between Russia and Ukraine, with the U.S. increasing pressure on Moscow to make a deal and end the conflict, but Putin is likely to have an eye on the upcoming May 9 Victory Day celebration, which he has emphasized each year during the conflict.
Victory Day in Russia marks the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany, and Putin has made fresh comments of Ukraine as a “neo-Nazi” nation despite Zelensky being Jewish.
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