ROME — On Saturday, President Donald Trump expressed doubts regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s determination to conclude the war in Ukraine, casting doubt on the likelihood of an imminent peace deal. This was a surprising shift from just a day earlier, when Trump suggested that the two nations were on the verge of reaching an agreement.
Reflecting on recent military actions, Trump remarked, “There was no reason for Putin to be launching missiles into civilian areas, cities, and towns recently.” These comments were shared on social media as Trump flew back to the U.S. following his attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican. During this visit, Trump briefly met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Hinting at potential additional sanctions against Russia, Trump suggested Putin might not genuinely be seeking to end the conflict, pondering the effectiveness of “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions” as potential measures. He emphasized the urgent need to stop the loss of life amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The president’s recent expressions of doubt come as efforts to broker a resolution to the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, intensify. Trump’s comment marked a stark contrast to his previously optimistic assertion that the two countries were nearing a resolution after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, engaged with Putin in Moscow the previous Friday.
During the brief encounter with Zelenskyy at the pope’s funeral, Trump and the Ukrainian leader had their first in-person meeting since a heated Oval Office exchange months prior, which had resulted in a temporary freeze of U.S. military support for Ukraine. Post-meeting, Trump alluded to exploring new tariffs and sanctions against Russia as a motivator for earnest negotiations, though he has yet to implement such measures, despite pressure from some Republican allies.
On the political front, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley urged Trump to impose more stringent sanctions on Putin, asserting that there is clear evidence of Putin playing games with the U.S. Just days prior, Trump publicly urged Putin to cease hostilities following violent attacks on Kyiv.
While meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump did not hold a second meeting due to scheduling constraints, opting instead to return immediately to the U.S. despite future talks being discussed. Zelenskyy took to social media post-funeral, characterizing their meeting as productive and hopeful for tangible outcomes, emphasizing the necessity of a complete ceasefire and enduring peace.
The discussions at the Vatican were deemed “very productive” by the White House. The meeting took place within the solemn setting of St. Peter’s Basilica, emphasizing the pope’s long-standing call for peace. Amidst diplomatic efforts, the Vatican had extended offers to facilitate peace talks, echoing the peace-driven mission of Francis himself.
Throughout his trip, Trump reiterated the importance of high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine to reach a consensus to end the war, a call yet to be publicly addressed by either Putin or Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy, however, noted the potential for significant meetings shortly while reinforcing the demand for an unconditional ceasefire.
Recent comments by Trump, such as advocating for Ukraine’s concession of the Crimean Peninsula to Russia to end the conflict, highlight ongoing disagreement. This territory, acquired by Russia during 2014’s annexation, remains a focal point of dispute for the Trump administration, which finds the demand for its return by Ukraine unrealistic.
With territory seizures in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson ongoing, Trump’s stance on Crimea reflects a larger narrative of acceptance of its historical ties to Russia, whereas Zelenskyy maintains a firm position on its reclamation. With the stakes high, the prospects of diplomacy remain uncertain but crucial to any future resolution.