US President Donald Trump, in a statement on Sunday, called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop shooting” in Ukraine and negotiate a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict. Trump’s comments came after a brief meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a funeral for Pope Francis in Rome. This marked the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders since their infamous meeting at the White House in February.
Trump, who had previously claimed he could end the war within a day of taking office, has intensified his diplomatic efforts to bring about a resolution to the war that has raged for more than three years. Despite these efforts, no significant breakthroughs have been made in the peace process.
The former president emphasized the importance of a negotiated settlement, saying, “I want him [Putin] to stop shooting, sit down, and sign a deal.” Trump’s remarks seemed to suggest that a peace deal was possible and that he believed both sides could come to an agreement. He did not elaborate on the specifics of the “US-proposed peace plan” he referenced, but the notion of a deal appears to involve terms that could lead to a ceasefire and de-escalation of the violence.
During his comments, Trump also suggested that Zelensky might be willing to make significant concessions, including the potential for Ukraine to cede Crimea, the Crimean Peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. When asked whether he believed Zelensky would be willing to give up Crimea as part of a peace deal, Trump responded affirmatively, stating, “Oh, I think so.”
The war in Ukraine has already caused immense destruction, particularly in the eastern regions, and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. While international efforts to mediate peace have largely faltered, Trump’s renewed push for a diplomatic resolution highlights his ongoing involvement in global negotiations, even as he remains a contentious figure on the world stage.
Whether Putin is willing to engage in meaningful peace talks remains unclear, and the fate of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including the future of Crimea, continues to be a major sticking point.
