Trump Hesitant on Meetings with Putin and Zelenskiy

President Donald Trump announced that he won’t meet with either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy until a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine reaches its final stages or is completed.

In a detailed statement shared on Truth Social, he emphasized the “tremendous progress” made in recent days, labeling it the most crucial movement toward peace since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Focused on Global Conflict Resolution

Trump remarked, “Over the past week, my team has made significant headway in bringing an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine,” adding that this conflict, which has resulted in about 25,000 soldier deaths just last month, wouldn’t have occurred had he been in power. He indicated that the initial peace framework, originally comprised of 28 points and created by the U.S., has seen adjustments with contributions from both parties, leaving only a handful of disagreements unresolved.

He elaborated on the subsequent steps in the negotiation process: “To finalize this peace plan, I’ve instructed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to engage with President Putin in Moscow, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll connects with the people of Ukraine. I will receive updates on progress, alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.”

Delays in Peace Efforts

Trump expressed concerns regarding a significant divide between Zelenskiy and Putin, which, despite some positive movement, is hindering the peace negotiations. He stated that he looks forward to meeting both leaders, but only when a deal to conclude the conflict is either finalized or nearly there.

He concluded by urging attention to this pressing issue, hopeful for a swift attainment of peace.

Ongoing Negotiations Amid Violence

The revised peace plan, diverse from its original version, has reportedly received initial backing from both Kyiv and Washington, with Moscow currently weighing the recent changes. However, after that announcement, Russia carried out an extensive aerial assault on Kyiv, resulting in at least seven casualties and significant damage to essential infrastructure.

Despite the ongoing violence, U.S. diplomats claim that negotiations now stand at the nearest point toward an agreement since the war’s initiation.