U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed hope that U.S. negotiators could broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, despite the continued conflict on the ground. Trump’s comments came even as both Kyiv and Moscow launched fresh aerial attacks on Thursday, indicating that the fighting is far from over.
The United States is pushing for an unconditional halt to hostilities, hoping that both sides can agree to a ceasefire to end a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives over the past three years. According to U.S. officials, the ultimate goal is to bring peace to the region, but this will require Russia’s agreement to stop its military actions without any preconditions.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently visited troops on the frontlines, appeared focused on recent gains made by Russian forces in Ukraine. These military advances have been part of an ongoing offensive to reclaim territory taken by Ukrainian forces. Despite the progress, the Kremlin has not shown a willingness to end the conflict, and it remains unclear whether the latest ceasefire proposal will be accepted.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, while open to peace talks, has been cautious, expressing skepticism over the possibility of a true ceasefire. “I understand that we can count on strong steps,” Zelensky said, referring to potential sanctions and increased support from the West if Russia refuses to stop fighting. However, the Ukrainian leader also noted that his country had little trust in Russia’s willingness to abide by a ceasefire, given Moscow’s previous refusals to halt the war.
During a meeting in the White House with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin, President Trump remained optimistic about the situation. He told reporters, “People are going to Russia right now as we speak. And hopefully we can get a ceasefire from Russia.” Trump did not specify whether he would directly engage with Putin but mentioned that there had been “positive messages” from Moscow.
To help facilitate these negotiations, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Moscow this week. Witkoff, a seasoned mediator with experience in resolving conflicts such as the Gaza crisis, is expected to play a key role in discussing a potential ceasefire agreement between the warring nations.
Trump further stated that if a ceasefire could be achieved, it would be a major step towards ending what he described as a “horrible bloodbath.” According to the former president, a ceasefire could resolve about 80 percent of the conflict, reducing the violence and setting the stage for a broader peace agreement. However, the situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether Moscow is willing to make such a commitment.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have emphasized that the United States is seeking an unconditional ceasefire. “That’s what we want to know — if they’re prepared to do it unconditionally,” Rubio said while heading to a G7 meeting in Canada. He added that if Russia were to agree to a ceasefire without conditions, it would mark a significant step toward peace. If, on the other hand, Russia rejects the proposal, it would clearly indicate that Moscow is not interested in ending the war.
The growing diplomatic efforts come as tensions rise in the conflict zone. In Russia, Putin has made several statements suggesting that Moscow is ready to continue the fight. Earlier this week, he visited the Russian troops in Kursk, a region near Ukraine, where Russian forces have been reclaiming ground from Ukrainian troops. Speaking to the soldiers, Putin said, “I am counting on the fact that all the combat tasks facing our units will be fulfilled, and the territory of the Kursk region will soon be completely liberated from the enemy.”
In Ukraine, the war continues to take its toll. On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities reported that at least eight people were killed in the ongoing fighting in the eastern and southern parts of the country. Russia has also managed to reclaim parts of its western Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops had previously launched a surprise offensive last year.
Ukraine’s military, however, remains resilient. General Oleksandr Syrsky, the country’s top military commander, indicated that Ukrainian forces in Kursk were retreating to more advantageous positions. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that it had downed 77 Ukrainian drones overnight, further escalating the violence. On Thursday, Russian forces also launched attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kherson, where a 42-year-old woman was killed.
Despite these ongoing attacks, the United States remains focused on bringing both sides to the negotiating table. The U.S. government has warned that “devastating” sanctions could be imposed on Russia if it refuses to accept the ceasefire proposal. Trump, who has previously stated his preference for peaceful solutions, mentioned that he had the ability to impose severe financial measures on Russia but expressed his desire to avoid such actions in favor of peace.
The diplomatic back-and-forth over the ceasefire proposal has been complicated by recent tensions between Ukraine and the United States. Less than two weeks ago, Trump made headlines when he criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky during a meeting at the White House. Trump claimed that Zelensky had failed to show enough gratitude for U.S. support and temporarily halted military aid to Ukraine. However, following the agreement on the ceasefire proposal, military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv resumed.
While some international leaders remain skeptical of the prospects for peace, there is a growing belief that a ceasefire, even if temporary, could serve as a step towards a longer-lasting resolution to the conflict. France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland, as well as other members of the G7, have expressed their willingness to support Ukraine and any efforts to bring about a ceasefire. The G7 is expected to discuss the situation further in upcoming meetings.
For now, the situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to launch attacks and make military gains. While there is cautious optimism surrounding the ceasefire proposal, the ultimate success of the negotiations will depend on Russia’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue and stop the violence.
As the conflict continues to ravage Ukraine, the international community waits for signs of progress, hoping that diplomacy will eventually bring an end to the suffering.
