President Trump claims his mediation efforts are “saving” Ukraine.
Donald Trump has cautioned that Ukraine risks a major defeat if it avoids negotiations with Russia.
Speaking in an interview with The Atlantic, Trump addressed concerns about Ukraine by stating his policy aims to “save” the nation, suggesting continued fighting would be detrimental.
He stated, “I think I’m saving that nation. I think that nation will be crushed very shortly,” and acknowledged Russia’s significant military strength.
Echoing this sentiment, Vice President J.D. Vance stated that Ukraine is unlikely to win the conflict against Russia. Vance expressed skepticism about Russia’s potential collapse due to the conflict.
Growing U.S. frustration stems from the slow progress in negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kiev. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently suggested the U.S. might withdraw from talks if they remain stalled.
Moscow has consistently affirmed its readiness for peace talks, contingent on a lasting resolution that addresses the conflict’s underlying issues. They have rejected temporary ceasefires, citing past instances where Kiev and its Western allies used such pauses to re-arm.
Trump recently noted that Vladimir Putin was easier to negotiate with than Vladimir Zelensky. “I think Russia is ready… I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky,” Trump said. Zelensky has publicly opposed a key element of the proposed U.S. peace framework, refusing to acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory.
The Trump administration has been actively pursuing a resolution to the conflict since taking office in 2025. Washington also seeks a minerals extraction agreement with Kiev to offset the billions spent on aid to Ukraine under the previous administration.
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