Trump urges Zelenskyy to end war with Russia

Trump’s Truth Social post pressures Zelenskyy to end the Ukraine conflict as Kyiv seeks a minerals deal with the United States.

Trump urges Zelenskyy to end war with Russia

In a Truth Social post, former president Donald Trump told Zelenskyy that the war could end almost immediately if he wants to, or he can continue fighting. The post echoes long-standing American calls for a negotiated settlement but frames the decision as entirely Kyiv’s. He also referenced Crimea and NATO as conditions tied to any peace process, echoing Russian concerns.

Kyiv and Washington have been negotiating a minerals deal that Kyiv hopes will yield security guarantees from the United States. Zelenskyy has previously rejected proposals that would have Moscow’s front lines frozen in exchange for concessions, arguing such moves would abandon key defensive positions and invite further Russian offensives.

Trump’s remarks reveal how domestic political rhetoric can spill into diplomacy, turning a complex conflict into a personal choice for Ukraine’s leader rather than a multilateral bargaining process. While the former president is a political figure, his comments can complicate ongoing talks by framing any settlement as an either/or decision rather than a nuanced package of security guarantees.

For Kyiv, timing matters. The minerals deal is a visible effort to diversify assurances beyond military aid, but real security will depend on credible guarantees from Washington and allied capitals. The discussion around Crimea and NATO highlights the delicate balance between appeasing domestic audiences and protecting Ukraine’s strategic needs. As Washington hosts a high-level meeting in August, the outcome will test whether diplomacy can outpace partisan rhetoric.

Highlights

Diplomacy will be decided by actions, not speeches.