Trump expresses doubts about achieving a resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which erupted in February 2022, has resulted in approximately 1.5 million casualties on both sides. Since then, the world has witnessed a series of diplomatic manoeuvres, sanctions, and geopolitical shifts as nations grapple with the impact of this protracted war.
One of the most notable figures in these international efforts has been former U.S. President Donald Trump. In August 2025, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing his willingness to facilitate peace negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Trump's peacemaking efforts have faced stumbling blocks, with no ceasefire achieved during a summit with Putin in Alaska last month.
Trump's optimism about ending the conflict within 24 hours of taking office has not materialized. Despite this, he has maintained a desire to maintain a civil relationship with Putin. However, his actions have been criticized for damaging the Indo-Pacific partnership, according to Brett Bruen, a former White House director of global engagement in the Obama administration.
The United States' approach to the conflict has been multifaceted. In an attempt to pressure Russia, the U.S. doubled its tariff rate on India for buying Russian oil, a move that soured American relations with India. Trump also urged European leaders to subject China to economic pressure for underwriting the Russian war effort.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently turned up in China for an event hosted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, was seen holding hands with Putin and speaking warmly to Xi during the event. Images of Modi cozying up to Russia and China were not viewed favorably by the administration official.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll on Ukraine. A massive attack by Russia on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, killed at least 15 people, including four children, last week. Putin has stated he will end the war by force if Ukraine doesn't agree to his demands. However, Putin has also expressed his willingness to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow for peace negotiations, provided the meeting is well prepared and offers prospects for good results.
Putin has proposed meeting Zelenskyy only in Moscow, while Zelenskyy is willing to meet in certain Persian Gulf countries, Switzerland, Austria, or Turkey, but not on Russian soil. The European source has expressed frustration that the Trump administration hasn't imposed meaningful new sanctions on Russia to end the war. Trump, on a hot mic, was heard telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin wants to make a deal "for me ... as crazy as it sounds."
Trump has joined a conference call with Zelenskyy and European leaders, urging Europe to stop purchasing Russian oil. The challenge for the United States is to adeptly time the sanctions and "dial back" when progress is made in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The future of this conflict remains uncertain, with the hope that diplomacy will prevail and bring an end to the suffering.
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