Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States is close to brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, though details of the agreement have yet to be disclosed.
Speaking at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, Trump emphasized the importance of his role in overcoming mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv.
“There is a lot of distrust between the two sides, so it’s good that I’m here,” Trump said. “I believe it’s in Russia’s best interest to make a deal, and I think President [Vladimir] Putin also wants that deal. I could be wrong, but I truly believe he does.”
While President Trump has urged European nations to take on a greater share of the military and economic support for Ukraine, France has pushed for security guarantees against potential aggression from Moscow. Macron expressed caution, warning against placing too much trust in Russia without verifiable assurances.
“Let’s establish something that can be evaluated, monitored, and verified,” Macron stated. “We must ensure there are sufficient short-term guarantees, and the support of the United States is crucial for the credibility of those security assurances.”
Trump also hinted that any future agreement with Ukraine would include U.S. access to the country’s rare mineral resources. He suggested that a formal agreement could be signed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soon as next week.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has underscored the importance of continued U.S. support, amid concerns that Washington’s commitment to Ukraine might waver.
“President Trump, we truly want to hear from you because our people and our families are deeply concerned,” Zelensky said. “Will America’s support remain? Will the United States continue to lead the free world? U.S. assistance is vital for life, and we hope it will continue.”
Speculation has also arisen that a possible peacekeeping mission involving European forces could be part of the negotiations, though no official statements have been made on the matter.
Adding to the tension, reports indicate that Ukraine was excluded from crucial discussions between Russian and American officials in Saudi Arabia. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that while the Ukraine conflict was discussed in his talks with Trump and Saudi leaders, no concrete agreements were reached.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $128 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. In comparison, all European countries combined have contributed around $124 billion during the same period.
As negotiations continue, global leaders remain divided on the path to a lasting peace — with many eyes now on Washington’s next move.
