War

Trump 'frustrated' by inability to broker end to Russia's war against Ukraine, WSJ reports

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Trump 'frustrated' by inability to broker end to Russia's war against Ukraine, WSJ reports
Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces off incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden in the first presidential debate at CNN Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on June 27, 2024. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump is expressing his frustration in private to donors about his inability to broker an end to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 9.

Trump originally claimed during the 2024 presidential campaign that he would end the war on his first day in office. He then went on to say that he would end it during his first 100 days in office, repeatedly adding that the war "never would have happened" if he'd had a consecutive second term in office.

However, Trump has since acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has also said publicly that Russia is "asking for too much" to end its war against Ukraine.

This change in rhetoric comes after Trump had a number of public missteps with President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him "a dictator without elections" and claiming that Ukraine was "more difficult" to deal with than Russia.

Trump has asked advisers in recent weeks whether they think Russian President Vladimir Putin has "changed" since his last term in office, and voiced concern over Moscow’s military actions, including strikes in areas with children, the WSJ reported.

Trump called for an "unconditional" 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on May 8, adding that "if the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions (against Russia)."

Zelensky and Ukraine's European allies have endorsed Trump's calls for a 30-day ceasefire.

Russia may close airspace over Kapustin Yar, site of Oreshnik ballistic missile launch, on May 12-13
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department’s NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.

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The Kyiv Independent news desk

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Russia attacked Kharkiv with drones on Oct. 22, damaging a kindergarten and killing one person, injuring at least six, local authorities reported.

Video

Former U.S. Ambassador Steven Pifer discusses recent U-turn in U.S. President Trump’s policy on Ukraine following a phone call with Putin. Pifer says that Trump can still end Russia’s war if he starts using leverage on Moscow but argues that, regardless, Ukraine and Europe should assume they will have to manage the conflict without U.S. support.

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