Trump Urges Russia to Accelerate Efforts on Ukraine Conflict as Witkoff Meets Putin
In the latest development surrounding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s handling of peace talks, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to act swiftly and end what he described as the “senseless war.” This comes as Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, concluded his latest discussions with Putin in Saint Petersburg.
Trump’s Call for Immediate Action
Trump, who has been pressing both Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate a ceasefire, took to his Truth Social platform to demand that Russia “get moving” to bring the conflict to an end. The war, which started in February 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, has seen little progress despite numerous negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials. Trump called the war “senseless” and reiterated that it “should have never happened.”
Concerns Over Stalled Talks
Trump’s efforts to broker a ceasefire have not yielded major concessions from the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately stalling talks and engaging other countries, including China, in the conflict.
Witkoff’s Meeting with Putin
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin lasted over four hours, but the Kremlin was tight-lipped about any significant breakthroughs. The talks, marking Witkoff’s third meeting with Putin since February, reportedly focused on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement. However, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, stated that there were no expectations for a major diplomatic breakthrough during these talks.
Kellogg’s Proposal for Allied Forces
Meanwhile, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, has suggested that British and French troops could manage zones of control in Ukraine’s west as part of a “reassurance force,” with a demilitarized zone separating them from Russian-occupied territories. Kellogg’s proposal draws parallels to the post-World War II divisions of Berlin, which could serve as a model for managing the Ukrainian conflict post-ceasefire.
China’s Alleged Role in the Conflict
Zelensky has further accused Russia of utilizing Chinese nationals in the conflict, claiming that hundreds of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces. However, Russia has denied these allegations, and China has cautioned all parties against making “irresponsible remarks” about its involvement.
Prisoner Swap and Diplomatic Efforts
In a sign of improving U.S.-Russia relations, the two countries recently completed a prisoner swap. Russia released dual U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina, a ballet dancer, in exchange for suspected tech smuggler Arthur Petrov. This marks the second such exchange in recent months and signals a shift toward rebuilding trust between the two nations, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
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Trump Urges Russia to Accelerate Efforts on Ukraine Conflict as Witkoff Meets Putin