Trump's Peace Push Hits a Roadblock

Donald Trump started the week with high hopes for peace between Russia and Ukraine. He thought he had made progress in getting the two countries to talk directly. But by Friday, it was clear that things weren't going as planned.

Russia's Stance

Russia's top diplomat said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wouldn't meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Ukraine agreed to some of Russia's demands. This was a big setback for Trump, who had been promoting his diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Trump's Next Steps

Trump said he would decide on his next steps in two weeks if the meeting didn't happen. He even hinted at new sanctions or tariffs on Russia, though he hadn't followed through on similar threats before.

Complications and Escalations

The situation became more complicated when Russia's foreign minister said Putin was willing to meet with Zelenskyy, but only after key issues were resolved. This could mean a long negotiation process, as both sides have very different demands.

Meanwhile, Russia launched one of its biggest air assaults this year, targeting western Ukraine with drones and missiles. Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to avoid peace talks, not end the war.

EU's Warning

The European Union's top diplomat warned that discussing territorial concessions to Russia was a "trap" set by Putin. She argued that Russia was not interested in peace and was only trying to gain time.