“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform yesterday (overnight AEST).
“Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Trump’s frustration is growing as a US-led effort to get a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has not made progress.
Zelenskyy has repeated many times during the war that began when Russia invaded in February 2022 that recognising occupied territory as Russia’s is a red line for Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted Thursday that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Moscow’s attacks had continued.
Trump’s criticism of Putin is notable because Trump has repeatedly said Russia, the aggressor in the conflict, is more willing than Ukraine to get a deal done.
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
“So far it’s been harder, but that’s OK. It’s all right.”
In his dealings with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has focused on which leader has leverage. Putin has “the cards” and Zelenskyy does not, Trump has said repeatedly. At the same time, the new Republican administration has taken steps toward a more cooperative line with Putin, for whom Trump has long shown admiration.
Trump was set to meet yesterday (overnight AEST) with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss the war in Ukraine, US tariffs and other issues.
Norway, a member of NATO and strong supporter of Ukraine, shares a roughly 198-kilometre border with Russia.
Gahr Støre said in a social media post Thursday that he would underscore during the talks that “close contact between Norway and the USA is crucial”.
“We must contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine,” he said.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin should “stop lying” when he claims to want “peace” while continuing to bomb Ukraine.
“There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?” he said during a visit to Madagascar.
Macron added that “the Americans’ anger should focus on just one person: President Putin”.
The French Foreign Ministry also offered measured pushback on Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy over the Ukrainian’s stance on Crimea.
During talks last week in Paris, US officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal, according to a European official familiar with the matter. The matter was discussed again Wednesday during talks with US, European, and Ukrainian officials.
“The principle of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not something that can be negotiated,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.
“This was the position taken last week and reiterated yesterday in London in a meeting of a similar format.”
Asked whether France agreed with Trump’s comments that Ukraine’s position was to blame for prolonging the war, Lemoine said Ukrainians showed they are open to negotiations while Russia continues its strikes.
“We rather have the impression that it is the Russians who are slowing down the discussions,” he said.
The White House announced on Tuesday that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would visit Moscow this week for a new round of talks with Putin about the war. It would be their fourth meeting since Trump took office in January.
