Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump warned Thursday that Washington would “pass” talks to end the Ukrainian war in a few days unless Moscow and Kiev develop rapidly.
His comments came hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio set the clock ticking, and he said in Paris that the United States could “continue” from the role of facilitating negotiations.
Trump has been urging the two sides to truce, but despite fighting Bingbing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has not drawn any important concessions from the Kremlin and has repeatedly negotiated with Moscow.
“If for some reason one of the two parties is hard, we just say, ‘You’re stupid. You’re stupid. You’re scary people’ – we’re just going to pass.”
“But hope we don’t have to.”
Republican Trump refused to blame Putin, who ordered a full-scale pro-Western invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, or Kiev President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted that both sides must make progress.
But Trump warned that a decision on whether to give up the negotiations could be “quickly.” He added: “There is no specific number of days, but it’s very soon. We want to finish it.”
‘move on’
Ukrainian officials said Moscow has been on strike against Ukraine, killing at least two people and injuring dozens of people in the attacks on Kharkif northeastern region and Sumi.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to an AFP question that Trump has fought for Russia from Russia for one of the few promises – a temporary suspension of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Rubio said Washington needs to quickly figure out whether the ceasefire is “viable in the short term” after Paris discusses a ceasefire with European officials.
He told reporters: “Because it’s not, then I think we will keep moving forward.”
However, U.S. Vice President JD Vance still insisted that he was “optimistic” about ending the Three Years’ War when he traveled to Italy.
Trump has promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, but his efforts have so far been shown little.
He had already pursued a reconciliation with the Kremlin, which shocked Kiev and opened a wedge between the United States and its European allies.
He and Vance ranked fiercely with Zelensky’s Oval Office in February, and he still accused him of being responsible for the Moscow invasion.
Trump insists that he was not “played” by Moscow, which was accused of being dragged by Ukraine.
The billionaire property tycoon added: “My life has been a big negotiation and I know when people are playing with us and I know when they are not.”
Asked if Putin was extending the process, Trump added: “I hope not. If he is…if he is…he has a great force.”
“laugh at”
Meanwhile, Zelensky slammed the latest attack on his country the days before Easter.
Kyiv earlier announced that it had received the bodies of 909 soldiers from Russia.
“This is how Russia starts Good Friday – ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shah drones. A ridicule of our people and cities,” Zelensky said in the telegram.
Russia said it has hit “the main drone production site” and Ukrainian military airports.
Putin rejected a proposal to unite Ukraine last month to stop a full-scale, unconditional pause in the conflict, while the Kremlin has a truce in the Black Sea in the west, lifting certain sanctions.
Trump also repeatedly expressed anger and frustration at Zelensky during the obvious breakthrough of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Ukraine will sign a deal in Washington next week that will give the United States access to its mineral resources.
Meanwhile, European powers seek seats in negotiations, especially when the Trump administration insists that the African continent should put a burden on Ukraine’s security.
France held a meeting between U.S. and European officials in Paris on Thursday, saying the talks launched a “positive process.”
The meeting included French President Emmanuel Macron, Rubio and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
However, many of the allies were shocked by Witkoff – Witkoff recently met Putin in Russia – repeating Moscow’s view on war.
