Trump pressed on Russia-Ukraine peace talks: Is Putin “back on the clock”?
President Donald Trump is facing new questions about the stalled prospects of a potential peace summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
At a televised Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump was asked whether Putin is “back on the clock” — a reference to earlier remarks suggesting severe consequences if Moscow failed to move toward a ceasefire. Trump appeared frustrated with the slow progress, responding:
“I want to see that deal end. It’s very, very serious what I have in mind, if I have to do it. But I want to see it end.”
He added that both Putin and Zelensky seem unwilling to meet at the same time, calling it “a lot of posturing.”
Where the negotiations stand
Putin has shown no willingness to make concessions. Russia continues to demand recognition of four territories it claims to have annexed, while Zelensky has made clear Ukraine will not cede land and wants firm security guarantees from NATO and the U.S.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said over the weekend that there is no meeting planned because “the agenda is not ready at all.” Zelensky, however, has renewed calls for direct talks, saying they remain “the most effective way forward.”
Trump’s approach
Trump said his administration would avoid military escalation, focusing instead on sanctions: “We’re not going to get into a world war … but it will be an economic war, and that’s going to be bad for Russia.”
At the same time, he shifted tone on Zelensky, noting: “Zelensky’s not exactly innocent either … now, we’re not paying any money to Ukraine. NATO members are buying weapons from us and sending them there.”
The bigger picture
Despite U.S. pressure, Russian officials have not signaled interest in a summit. The war remains at a deadlock, with Moscow escalating strikes — including two recent cruise missile attacks on a U.S. electronics factory in Ukraine.
For now, Trump continues to publicly push for talks, but whether Putin and Zelensky will actually meet remains highly uncertain.
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