Trump breaks deadlock: Rutte highlights US role in achieving peace in Ukraine
Photo: US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has taken the lead role in efforts to initiate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, states NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a broadcast on Fox News.
"It is thanks to President Trump that the deadlock is broken. It is the US, it is President Trump who is taking this leadership role — and it is only the US and President Trump who can do that," Rutte said.
He noted that Trump is working on the ceasefire issue together with his aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump’s statements on the war in Ukraine
Trump had promised to quickly end the war in Ukraine during his election campaign. However, after assuming office as US President, he began making pro-Russian statements and blaming the Ukrainian leadership for the conflict.
In particular, Trump referred to Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections” and criticized him for the lack of progress in achieving a peaceful resolution. Although he later acknowledged Russia’s responsibility, he also blamed both Zelenskyy and Biden.
Commenting on Zelenskyy’s remark that peace is still far off, Trump said it was “the worst thing he could have said.” Earlier, he had vowed to end the war “within 24 hours,” though over time the timeline kept shifting.
Peace negotiations
Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States may withdraw from the peace process if no opportunities for a swift agreement between Ukraine and Russia emerge in the near future.
Later, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US could indeed suspend its participation in the talks if either side obstructs the path to peace.
At the same time, Bloomberg reported that the American peace initiative envisions Russia retaining control over the occupied territories of Ukraine. Trump also expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin would listen to him and refrain from launching missile and drone strikes on Ukraine.
Yesterday, the US President said that the next few days would be crucial for negotiations to resolve the war in Ukraine. The US is putting “great pressure on Russia” to reach a peace agreement.
