As the war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that additional sanctions on Russia could be on the horizon, particularly if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not engage in negotiations.
When asked about the prospect of further punitive measures, Trump responded, “Sounds likely,” hinting at the possibility of increasing pressure on Russia.
Trump’s remarks came amid ongoing discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the U.S. leader noting that a meeting with Putin is forthcoming.
“We’re going to be talking with President Putin very soon, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said, leaving open the possibility of diplomatic engagement with Russia.
He also took the opportunity to criticize the European Union for not doing enough to support Ukraine’s defense efforts, a sentiment he has expressed before.
Additionally, Trump stated that he would “consider” sending more U.S. weaponry to Ukraine, though no specifics were provided.
In a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump addressed the conflict, calling for a collaborative effort to mediate a resolution.
Trump emphasized the influential roles both China and the U.S. play in the global arena and urged Xi to help broker peace.
“It takes two to tango,” Trump remarked, stressing that any meaningful negotiations would require cooperation from both Ukraine and Russia.
While acknowledging that Ukrainian President Zelensky is seeking peace, Trump noted that a resolution will depend on mutual willingness from all parties involved.
Trump’s earlier statements suggesting he could end the war within 24 hours were tempered in his latest comments. While he has long advocated for peace, he admitted that the situation is more complex than initially portrayed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the goal of U.S. foreign policy is not just to bring an end to the war but to ensure that it does not reignite in the future.
Rubio outlined that the U.S. is focused on securing a long-term, sustainable peace for Ukraine, underlining the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict.
On the Ukrainian side, President Zelensky has maintained a firm stance against Russia’s territorial claims, reiterating that Ukraine will never recognize the occupied regions as part of Russia.
Zelensky recently stated that these territories “will always remain occupied” until Ukraine has the opportunity to liberate them.
He also emphasized that dialogue with Russia must come from a position of strength, rejecting any notion of treating Russia as an equal in negotiations.
For Ukraine, ending the active phase of the war remains the immediate priority. Zelensky has repeatedly underscored that while peace talks are essential, the first and foremost goal is to halt the fighting.
“We must find all possible ways to end the hot phase of the war,” he said, recognizing that securing an end to the violence is the critical step toward ensuring future stability and security for Ukraine.
As peace talks remain a distant prospect, U.S. officials have acknowledged that any potential negotiations will be fraught with complexity.
The Trump administration has committed to working toward a resolution, despite the considerable challenges involved, and is preparing for the difficult compromises that will be necessary on both sides to achieve a lasting peace.
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