Trump Claims Putin Wants to End Ukraine War Amid Stalled Talks

UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump stated that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to end the ongoing Ukraine war, despite recent talks in Moscow yielding no breakthrough. This assertion comes as U.S. officials prepare for a follow-up meeting with top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov in Florida today.

The discussions between Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Putin lasted into the early hours but concluded without any agreements. The Kremlin has deemed parts of the U.S. proposal to end the war as unacceptable, even as it suggests Ukraine might need to cede portions of the eastern Donbas region.

“I can tell you that they had a reasonably good meeting with President Putin,” Trump told an AFP reporter, emphasizing that it is too soon to determine the outcome. He remarked, “It does take two to tango,” adding that he believes Putin genuinely wants to end the conflict.

Despite Trump’s optimism, the Kremlin has signaled that no compromises were reached. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia is still open to diplomatic efforts, even as they prepare for continued military action if negotiations fail.

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged a “window of opportunity” for peace but stressed that it must be coupled with pressure on Russia. He stated, “The world now clearly feels that there is an opportunity to end the war, and the current activity in negotiations must be supported by pressure on Russia.”

The ongoing talks occur as NATO pledges hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine. NATO chief Mark Rutte highlighted the importance of maintaining Ukraine’s strength during negotiations, ensuring it remains capable of defending itself against Russian advances.

The situation remains critical as Russian forces continue to push forward across the front lines, with reports of significant territorial gains. Earlier this week, Moscow claimed to have captured the strategic stronghold of Pokrovsk, while Ukrainian forces continue to engage in urban combat in the city.

As the world watches these developments unfold, the urgency for a resolution grows. The international community is keenly aware of the stakes, with fears that agreements between Washington and Moscow may exclude European interests. The coming hours will be pivotal as U.S. and Ukrainian officials seek to clarify their positions and explore pathways to peace.

Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as negotiations continue and the situation on the ground develops.