Trump Frustrated by Stalled Peace Bids in Ukraine as Putin Resists/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump’s attempt to broker direct peace talks between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hit a roadblock. Moscow signaled Putin will not meet unless Kyiv agrees to longstanding Russian demands. The setback raises doubts about Trump’s ability to deliver the quick peace he promised.
Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Talks Stalled: Quick Looks
- Trump’s Announcement: Claimed breakthrough arranging Putin-Zelenskyy meeting
- Putin’s Response: No talks until Ukraine meets Russian preconditions
- Lavrov’s Statement: Agenda not ready; no summit planned yet
- Trump’s Threat: Possible new sanctions or tariffs on Russia
- Ukraine’s Stand: Seeks Western security guarantees; rejects concessions
- Russia’s Pressure: Massive aerial assault launched during diplomatic push
- European Concerns: EU warns of “Putin trap” over land concessions
- Symbolic Putin Visit: Sarov nuclear site trip underscores Moscow’s strength
- Zelenskyy’s Critique: Says Russia avoids peace, escalates instead
- Next Steps: Trump to decide on further actions in two weeks
Deep Look: Trump’s Ukraine Peace Effort Stalls as Putin Refuses Direct Talks
WASHINGTON — Four days after proclaiming he had made real progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump is facing disappointment. Moscow made clear Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not meet directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Kyiv agrees to a set of longstanding Russian demands, dimming prospects for Trump’s much-touted peace initiative.
Trump’s Declared “Breakthrough”
At the start of the week, Trump confidently announced he was arranging direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, presenting himself as a dealmaker capable of delivering a breakthrough where others had failed. His remarks came after meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington, coupled with a phone call with Putin.
European allies initially welcomed Trump’s tone, interpreting his vague pledges of U.S.-European security guarantees for a postwar Ukraine as constructive. His comments seemed to calm fears after his Alaska summit with Putin days earlier, where he appeared to lean toward Moscow’s demand that Ukraine surrender occupied territory.
But hopes quickly faded. By Friday, Russian officials dismissed the idea that a summit was imminent.
Russia Pushes Back
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told NBC’s Meet the Press that Putin would only meet Zelenskyy after senior-level negotiations resolved major sticking points.
“There is no meeting planned,” Lavrov said. “Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.”
That position underscores Moscow’s strategy of stretching out talks while pressing military advantages. On Thursday, Russia launched one of its largest air assaults of the year, firing 574 drones and 40 missiles into western Ukraine.
“Russia does not want peace,” Zelenskyy said in Kyiv alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “They are laughing, not stopping the killing, but increasing it.”
Security Guarantees Remain Sticking Point
A key issue is Ukraine’s demand for binding Western security guarantees to deter any future Russian invasion. U.S. and European officials are struggling to draft workable proposals. NATO leaders have floated a two-layer system: one focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities after a ceasefire, the other committing Europe and the U.S. to long-term defense guarantees.
Lavrov rejected the concept, arguing any agreement without Moscow’s participation is meaningless. Putin reinforced that message Friday with a highly symbolic visit to Sarov, a closed Russian city known for its nuclear weapons program, reminding the world of Russia’s deterrent power.
“He hasn’t moderated his position in any significant way,” said Nigel Gould-Davies, a fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and former British ambassador to Belarus.
Trump’s Frustration Mounts
Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the Ukraine war “on Day One,” now finds himself stymied. Speaking in the Oval Office, he hinted at retaliatory steps if a summit fails to materialize.
“We’re going to see whether or not they have a meeting,” Trump said. “If they don’t, I’ll know what I am going to do in two weeks.” He floated the possibility of fresh sanctions or tariffs on Russia, measures he has previously threatened but never fully implemented.
The delay is a blow to Trump’s narrative of momentum. His administration has promoted his diplomatic outreach as evidence he is uniquely capable of forging a peace deal. Instead, the Kremlin’s stonewalling exposes the limits of his influence over Putin.
European Leaders Caution Against Concessions
European leaders warn Trump against leaning toward Putin’s terms. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described suggestions that Ukraine might cede land as “a trap.”
“This is exactly the trap that Russia wants us to walk into,” Kallas told the BBC. “We are forgetting that Russia has not made one single concession. They are the aggressor, brutally attacking another country and killing people.”
She argued any deal that rewarded Russia with territory would undermine international law and embolden future aggression.
The Broader Implications
For Ukraine, Trump’s diplomacy has generated mixed emotions. Zelenskyy welcomed U.S. engagement and hopes for security guarantees but criticized Russia’s obstruction. His government fears Moscow is buying time while continuing to devastate Ukrainian infrastructure.
For Trump, the episode highlights both the political risks and opportunities of his foreign policy approach. Success would allow him to claim credit for ending Europe’s bloodiest conflict in decades. Failure could reinforce critics’ claims that he underestimates Putin and jeopardizes U.S. alliances.
What Comes Next
Trump says he will decide on next steps in two weeks if Putin does not agree to a summit. Options include sanctions, tariffs, or further diplomatic maneuvers. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its allies remain wary that Trump might again entertain concessions to Russia in pursuit of a deal.
With the war grinding on into its fourth year, and Moscow showing no sign of compromise, the president’s pledge to quickly end the conflict looks increasingly elusive.
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