Former US President Donald Trump has hailed what he described as “good co-operation” between Russia and Ukraine, as he reaffirmed his commitment to ending the war between the two nations. Speaking from the White House while announcing new tariffs on US imports, Mr Trump insisted that the conflict must be brought to a close, declaring: “We’re going to get it stopped.”
The United States has been engaged in discussions with officials from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government and representatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to negotiate a ceasefire. Mr Trump suggested progress was being made, stating:
“It’s a senseless war that would have never happened if I was president, and it shouldn’t be allowed to go on. And I think we’ve been given good co-operation by Russia and by Ukraine, but we have to get it stopped. It’s humanity. It’s humanity. It’s a terrible thing.”
International pressure on Russia
On Sunday night, Mr Trump held a phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, during which both leaders reportedly agreed on the importance of maintaining “collective pressure on Putin.”
The White House announced last week that both Russia and Ukraine had reached a temporary agreement to pause hostilities in the Black Sea, following separate negotiations aimed at securing a broader ceasefire. However, despite this diplomatic effort, violence has continued, with Ukraine suffering further missile strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Wednesday that four people were killed in a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih. In response, he renewed his calls for increased military assistance, particularly in the form of air defence systems.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Zelensky stated:
“We need a sufficient number of air defence systems and missiles to protect all people in Ukraine from Russian terror. We are working with all our partners toward this goal, and we thank everyone who is helping us.”
He also emphasised the necessity of sustained support, adding:
“We are grateful to everyone who understands that pressure on Russia and stable support for Ukraine are essential.”
Tensions between Trump and Putin
Despite acknowledging progress in talks, Mr Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with President Putin’s stance on Ukraine. In an interview with NBC News, the former US leader expressed his dissatisfaction with the Russian president’s recent attacks on Zelensky’s credibility, stating that he was “angry, pissed off” about Putin’s remarks.
Mr Putin has repeatedly questioned President Zelensky’s legitimacy, arguing that Ukraine’s leader lacks the authority to negotiate a peace deal. These comments have provoked strong reactions from the US, with Mr Trump now openly considering the implementation of “secondary sanctions” on Russian oil exports.
The prospect of additional economic measures is likely to further strain relations between Washington and Moscow. However, Mr Trump’s remarks indicate that his administration is exploring tougher actions in response to Russia’s continued aggression.
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A fragile path to peace
While there have been signs of diplomatic engagement, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The pause in hostilities in the Black Sea has not translated into broader de-escalation, with missile strikes continuing in Ukrainian cities.
Western leaders remain divided on how best to pressure Russia while maintaining support for Ukraine. The UK, US, and EU have committed billions in military aid, yet questions persist over the long-term strategy for ending the war.
Mr Trump’s insistence that the conflict “never would have happened” under his leadership echoes previous claims that his approach to foreign policy could have deterred Russia from launching its full-scale invasion in 2022. However, critics argue that his previously conciliatory stance towards President Putin may not have been a sufficient deterrent.
As ceasefire discussions continue, it remains unclear whether a lasting peace agreement is within reach. Ukraine continues to demand more air defence systems, while Russia shows little sign of scaling back its military campaign.
For now, the world watches as negotiations unfold, with the hopes that co-operation between Russia and Ukraine—as claimed by Mr Trump—can translate into tangible progress towards peace.
