Donald Trump: Time is Needed for an Objective Assessment of Kyiv’s Peace Aspirations
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, recently expressed the opinion that Ukraine shows intentions to reach a ceasefire and is on its way toward possible peace negotiations. However, he emphasized that he needs time to objectively analyze the efforts of the Ukrainian leadership before making a final decision. Trump’s remarks were made during a formal event honoring law enforcement officers at the White House, in the Oval Office, where he addressed representatives of law enforcement agencies and focused on the latest intelligence assessments concerning the conflict in Ukraine. During the event, the U.S. leader stated: “I said that the Ukrainians are ready for a ceasefire. They desire peace and are prepared to negotiate.” This is a direct quote from his speech, which was disseminated by the news portal Interfax-Ukraine. When asked by a journalist about how much effort Ukraine is putting into achieving peace, Trump replied: “I need some time to make an objective judgment. In about two weeks, I will be able to say more. Right now, it’s hard to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’” He stressed that the cooperation of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on the path toward peace commands his respect, but at the same time noted that he reserves the right to make a final conclusion after further assessments. “Zelensky is a strong and determined person. At the same time, he is not easy to work with. Nonetheless, I believe he intends to stop the bloodshed,” Trump remarked. According to him, he hopes to gain a clearer picture and understanding of how interested the Ukrainian leadership is in ending the military actions. “I hope that in two or four weeks, the responses will be more optimistic,” he added. It is important to note that earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his intention to initiate an international meeting involving delegations from Russia, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. Such steps indicate Ukraine's desire to accelerate diplomatic efforts and find ways to end the conflict. On the other hand, the Kremlin also shows interest in this matter, having made several statements regarding the prospects for negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in his comments following phone conversations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the so-called “memorandum” with Ukraine — a document that, according to him, pertains to the possible ceasefire. However, he emphasized that there are no “preparatory timelines” for such a document and that discussing them would be premature, hinting at the complexity and uncertainty of this process. Prior to these diplomatic developments, several key conversations took place in May. On May 19, Donald Trump held a two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin, after which he stated that Ukraine and Russia should “immediately” begin negotiations to end the war. Putin, for his part, also expressed readiness to work on a memorandum, which, according to him, could include a temporary ceasefire regime and a return to diplomatic consultations. Interestingly, before the phone call with the Kremlin, Trump had a brief conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Although specific details of this conversation have not been disclosed, it served as a precondition for the announcement of the start of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Amid this backdrop, the American leader emphasizes that he remains open to further assessments of the situation and considers the potential successes of Ukrainian diplomacy and military strategy. At the same time, he reiterated that he does not plan to start or continue negotiations without tangible signs of progress, and his decision will depend on concrete steps taken by Kyiv and other conflict parties. Overall, the situation around the Ukraine-Russia conflict remains tense, though there are hopes for a diplomatic resolution. The prospects for peace remain open, but their realization will require time and efforts from all sides. The U.S. President confidently asserts the importance of patience and strategic evaluation of each step on the path toward a peaceful solution.