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Title: Trump’s Warning on Ukraine Peace Mediation Efforts
Image Caption: President Trump speaks at a rally in West Palm Beach, Florida. — Reuters/File
WASHINGTON D.C.: President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that the U.S. might halt its efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine if there isn’t swift progress from both Moscow and Kyiv.
This statement reflects a significant shift in U.S. diplomatic tone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently mentioned in Paris that the United States would "move on" if a peaceful resolution appeared unachievable.
Trump has been urging both sides to reach a ceasefire; however, his attempts to secure significant concessions from Russia have yielded little success, despite a notable conversation with President Vladimir Putin and ongoing talks with Moscow.
When questioned by reporters in the Oval Office about Rubio’s comments, Trump said, "Yes, very soon," without specifying an exact timeframe. "We want to get this resolved quickly."
While Trump did not place blame on either President Putin, who launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, or Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, he stressed the necessity for both parties to show progress.
"If for any reason one side complicates matters significantly, we’re going to have to say: ‘You’re being unreasonable. You’re making a mistake.’ And we’ll just step back," he stated. "But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that."
"Moving On"
In the meantime, Moscow has maintained its assault on Ukraine, resulting in casualties from strikes in Kharkiv and Sumy, according to Ukrainian officials.
A temporary agreement that Trump managed to secure from the Kremlin — a halt on attacks against Ukrainian energy facilities — has now expired, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
During a meeting with European officials in Paris aimed at discussing a ceasefire, Rubio emphasized the need for Washington to determine if a cessation of hostilities is feasible in the near term. "If it isn’t feasible, we will likely shift our focus elsewhere," he remarked.
Despite this uncertainty, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, while in Italy, expressed optimism about concluding the three-year-long conflict.
Trump had previously pledged to resolve the war within 24 hours of entering office, but tangible outcomes have been scarce. His attempts to foster warmer ties with the Kremlin have caused concern in Kyiv and strained relationships with European allies.
In a notable departure from his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump has publicly criticized Zelensky, who he continues to hold responsible for Russia’s aggression. "I’ve spent my entire life negotiating, and I can tell when someone is playing us," he remarked, defending himself against accusations of being manipulated by the Kremlin.
"A Mockery"
In response to the recent attacks, Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions, which coincided with the approach of Easter. Kyiv announced it had received the remains of 909 soldiers from Russia.
"This is how Russia initiated Good Friday — with ballistic missiles and drones. It’s a mockery of our nation and our cities," Zelensky stated on Telegram.
Russia claimed it targeted "key drone production facilities" and Ukrainian military airfields. Last month, Putin dismissed a joint request from the U.S. and Ukraine for an unconditional ceasefire, with the Kremlin tying any truce in the Black Sea to the lifting of specific sanctions by the West.
Trump’s repeated frustrations towards Zelensky stand in stark contrast to Biden’s approach. Additionally, Ukraine is set to finalize an agreement next week in Washington, granting the U.S. extensive access to its mineral resources.
European leaders, meanwhile, are keen on playing a more active role in the negotiations as Trump’s administration insists that allies on the continent must share the responsibility for supporting Ukraine’s defense.
France hosted meetings with American and European officials in Paris, claiming the discussions initiated a "positive process." The meetings included French President Emmanuel Macron, Rubio, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. However, many allies are concerned about Witkoff’s recent meetings with Putin, during which he appeared to echo Moscow’s viewpoints on the ongoing conflict.
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