Donald Trump has warned Russia of “devastating” consequences if it does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that the U.S. has economic measures that could severely impact Russia. However, he emphasized that he hopes such actions won’t be necessary, as his administration is focused on achieving peace. His comments came during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, where reporters repeatedly questioned him about the ongoing war.
Trump claimed that the U.S. is “80 percent of the way” to securing peace, with Ukraine already agreeing to a ceasefire. The next step, he said, is persuading Russia to do the same. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed this sentiment, stating that high-level negotiations with Russia are underway. Trump also pointed to his previous sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline as proof of his tough stance, contrasting himself with past presidents whom he accused of being weak on Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by reaffirming his commitment to peace talks, saying Ukraine is ready to negotiate “as soon as possible.” He outlined early steps for a peace deal, including a prisoner exchange and a ban on missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure. However, he insisted that Russia must reciprocate these measures for any agreement to move forward.
With tensions still high, Trump’s approach has sparked debate over whether economic pressure will bring Russia to the table or escalate the conflict further. As talks continue, the world is watching closely to see if his strategy will lead to a resolution or deepen the divide between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
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