US President Donald Trump has issued a pressing call for Ukraine to accelerate its decision-making regarding a peace deal with Russia. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump emphasized the volatility of negotiations with Moscow. He warned that delays often lead to shifting stances from the Russian side, making a swift agreement crucial for ending the ongoing conflict.
The urgency comes just ahead of a significant diplomatic gathering scheduled for this weekend in Miami, Florida. Envoys representing President Trump, specifically Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are preparing to meet with a Russian delegation. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in the peace process, following closely on the heels of two days of intensive negotiations held in Berlin, Germany, with Ukrainian officials.
While recent discussions have been described as making “great progress” by both President Zelensky and US officials, significant hurdles remain. Trump’s comments highlight a specific concern: the longer negotiations drag on, the more likely Russia is to harden its demands or retract previous offers. “I hope Ukraine moves quickly because Russia is there,” Trump noted, adding, “Every time they take too much time, then Russia changes their mind.”
The core sticking point in these negotiations remains territorial integrity. Ukraine has staunchly refused to cede any land to Russia, particularly emphasizing its claim to the Donbas region. Conversely, Russia has made territorial concessions a non-negotiable condition for peace. Currently, Moscow occupies Crimea and holds partial control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
Reports indicate that Russian negotiators have shown little willingness to compromise on these demands during preliminary talks with US officials. Moscow continues to insist on a Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a prerequisite for ending the fighting. As the Miami talks approach, the pressure is on Kyiv to navigate these rigid demands while maintaining its sovereign stance.