U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he had productive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising hopes for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump strongly urged Putin to spare thousands of Ukrainian troops who, according to him, were completely surrounded by Russian forces and in a vulnerable position.
Trump’s Warning on Possible Massacre
Taking to Truth Social, Trump expressed concern over the situation, saying:
“At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!”
Putin’s Conditions for a Ceasefire
Meanwhile, Putin questioned a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal, insisting that it should address the root causes of the conflict. During a news conference, he demanded concessions from Kyiv, including:
- Halting Ukraine’s mobilization and military training
- Ending Western arms supplies to Ukraine
- Ensuring a long-term peace deal
Putin reaffirmed that Russian troops were advancing in most combat zones and emphasized that the current Ukrainian government remained a key issue in resolving the war.
Background of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and launched a full-scale war in 2022. At that time, Putin demanded:
- Ukraine should never join NATO
- NATO should reduce its military presence in Eastern and Central Europe
The U.S. and its allies dismissed these demands, labeling Russia’s actions as an attempted land grab.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s diplomatic efforts and Putin’s conditions, the possibility of a ceasefire or peace deal remains uncertain. However, Trump remains hopeful that an end to the war is in sight.
