Donald Trump: The US intensifies pressure on Russia in the pursuit of peace in Ukraine
Recent statements by former US President Donald Trump indicate a significant shift in Washington's stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a more persistent approach to diplomatic and political maneuvers. In a recent interview with journalists after a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the White House, Trump openly declared that he is already "pressing very hard on Russia" in order to force it to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine. According to the former American leader, his efforts have a clear goal — to compel the Kremlin to change its position in the conflict. "You can't imagine how strongly I am pressuring Russia. They know it and understand it, because both Putin personally and his close circle feel it. Otherwise, he wouldn't be talking about the possibility of peace," Trump emphasized. At the same time, he highlighted that the current state of affairs is not final, and in his view, Moscow "wants to make a deal," but for that to happen, Kyiv must also be willing to compromise. "We are already almost at the edge, and I believe Ukraine also wants peace, as it is suffering powerful blows and going through very difficult tests," Trump added, noting that the decision to intensify pressure has been temporarily postponed as he is focused on achieving results through diplomatic efforts. When asked when exactly military pressure might increase, the former president said he "wants to reach an agreement within a week," and added that "there's no need to respond now, but something will happen." This approach from Trump signals a serious shift in US foreign policy regarding the Ukraine-Russia crisis. He has previously expressed dissatisfaction with Russian missile strikes against Kyiv that have claimed at least 12 Ukrainian lives, calling on Putin to "stop." Meanwhile, Washington emphasizes that one of the key components of a future peace agreement will be Russia's recognition of Ukraine's rights, including its armed forces and defense industry. According to foreign media reports, the US insists that the Kremlin recognize Ukraine's right to maintain its own armed forces and Selbstverteidigung (self-defense), and provide guarantees of the country's independence and sovereignty in the framework of a future peace treaty. This requires not only diplomatic compromise but also political will from both sides to end the war. Overall, Trump’s words, which many analysts see as indicative of a potential run for the US presidency in the upcoming elections, demonstrate an active stance on resolving the Ukraine crisis and a desire to show his ability to influence the course of the situation even amid international tension. Time will tell how further actions from Washington will align with Ukrainian leadership’s goals and whether diplomacy can triumph in this complex and tense conflict.