Ukraine peace talks under pressure

Trump publicly pressurizes Zelenskyy as a White House meeting looms, framing the Ukraine fight in stark terms.

Trump Pressures Zelenskyy to End War Started by Putin

Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to press Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war with Russia almost immediately, arguing Kyiv could secure peace by conceding Crimea and dropping its NATO ambitions. The comments come as Zelenskyy prepares to meet the former president at the White House, turning a private diplomatic moment into a public bargaining chip.

Trump also claimed that he and Vladimir Putin have largely agreed on land transfers and security guarantees for Ukraine, a statement that underscores the row over what a negotiated settlement could look like. Zelenskyy, speaking in Brussels, insisted there must be a ceasefire before any deal and warned that Russia will not stop the fighting while it makes new demands.

These public exchanges reveal how domestic political theater in the United States can bleed into diplomacy with Kyiv. A former president using a social media post to shape negotiations can complicate long-running talks and test the unity of Western partners.

Kyiv faces pressure to maintain a common front with its allies while adversaries push for concessions on Crimea and the Donbas. The moment also shows that sustainable peace will hinge on verifiable ceasefires and durable terms, not louder rhetoric.

Highlights

Diplomacy remains fragile and the next moves are closely watched.