Trump insists he wants to make progress for peacetalks
Donald Trump has taken another dig at Ukraine as he reflects on the progress of peace talks.
Trump Hints at Strained Relations with Zelenskyy Amid Peace Talks
Tensions between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appear to be lingering following their heated exchange in late February.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday (March 7), Trump reflected on recent peace talks, claiming that the United States is “doing very well with Russia” and even suggested that negotiating with Moscow may be proving “easier” than working with Kyiv.
The remarks highlight the ongoing friction between the two leaders, raising questions about the future of diplomatic relations in the region.
Trump Balances Tough Talk with Praise in Latest Russia-Ukraine Remarks
In a day filled with contrasting statements, Donald Trump announced on Friday (March 7) that he was “strongly considering” imposing large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire with Ukraine is reached.
The proposed economic measures come in response to Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attack on Thursday, which targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Explaining his stance, Trump remarked that Russia was “absolutely pounding Ukraine on the battlefield right now.”
However, just hours later, Trump shifted his tone — praising Vladimir Putin and suggesting the Russian leader’s aggressive tactics were unsurprising.
“I think he’s hitting them [Ukraine] harder than he’s been hitting them,” Trump stated. “And I think probably anyone in that position would be doing that right now.”
While Trump claimed to believe that Putin wants to end the war, he expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s willingness to do the same, underscoring the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy Urges Peace Following Tense Exchange with Trump
Following a heated exchange with Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement reaffirming his dedication to ending the war with Russia.
In his statement, Zelenskyy stressed that “none of us wants an endless war” and declared that Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to achieve lasting peace.
“Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing his readiness to collaborate under Trump’s leadership to broker a meaningful resolution.
Outlining potential first steps, Zelenskyy proposed:
✅ Release of prisoners
✅ Truce in the sky — halting missile, drone, and bomb attacks on civilian infrastructure
✅ Truce at sea — contingent on Russia’s willingness to comply
Zelenskyy concluded by urging swift progress, stating Ukraine was prepared to “move very fast” through further negotiations with the U.S. to secure a strong final deal.
The remarks followed Trump’s assertion that he cut military aid to Ukraine because he was unsure whether Kyiv was truly committed to seeking peace. “I want to know they [Ukraine] want to settle, and I don’t know they want to settle,” Trump said.
