Trump Frustrated by Stalled Peace Bids in Ukraine as Putin Resists/ TezzBuzz/ 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 warn Trump against leaning toward Putin’s terms. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described suggestions that Ukraine might cede land as “a trap.”
She argued any deal that rewarded Russia with territory would undermine international law and embolden future aggression.
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.
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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