Trump Expresses Hope for Ukraine Ceasefire Amidst Putin's Ambiguous Response
President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s non-committal stance.
In a recent press conference held in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump shared his hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump emphasized the urgency of resolving the three-year-long conflict, stating, “We know where we are with Ukraine. Hopefully they’ll do the right thing,” in reference to Russia’s role in the conflict.
The comments from Trump came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the issue in Moscow. Putin thanked Trump for his efforts towards a ceasefire, agreeing with them in principle but stopping short of endorsing the proposed 30-day ceasefire. Trump, aware of Putin’s remarks, described them as “promising” yet “incomplete,” and expressed a willingness to engage directly with Putin to expedite a resolution.
Trump highlighted specific concerns raised by Russian officials, including issues surrounding the Zaporizhzhia power plant and Ukraine’s potential NATO membership. These topics were also mentioned by Putin during his Moscow address. Despite these challenges, Trump noted that many details of a final agreement have already been discussed, leaving the ball in Russia’s court. “Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia is there,” Trump stated, adding that a failure to act would be “a very disappointing moment for the world.”
As the international community watches closely, the next steps in the ceasefire negotiations between Trump and Putin could significantly impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.