DONALD Trump is expected to fly to Saudi Arabia in person to meet the Ukrainians and get the peace deal “back on track”.
Speaking from the Oval Office today, the president said that it is getting “more difficult” to deal with Kyiv but said he thinks he will “get it settled and stopped”.
ReutersUS President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington[/caption]
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine
GettyEmergency teams and civilians are at the scene where a Russian Iskander missile hit a civilian infrastructure facility[/caption]
Trump said he believes Russia wants peace
Trump also said that Russia “bombing the hell” out of Ukraine – and that Putin is doing what “anyone else would do”.
He said it “may be easier” to deal with Moscow, despite recognising that Putin holds “all the cards”.
When quizzed over Russia’s intentions to end the war, Trump said he does believe Putin is “committed to peace”.
He added: “I do believe Putin wants peace. I think we’re doing very well with Russia.
“But right now they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine.
“Ukraine has to”get on the ball and get the job done.”
Trump is expected to be in Saudi Arabia next week along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks on ending the war.
However, Zelensky may not take part in the meeting, Russian news agency TASS reports.
Earlier today, Trump accused Vlad’s forces of “pounding” the cities – and said he was “strongly considering” a tough new regime of sanctions and tariffs.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
His blasting post on is his most direct attack on the Russians since he steered his new administration into the role of peacemaker.
Trump’s past comments, including labelling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator,” fuelled speculation that he was siding with Moscow, and he has previously cast doubt on continued US support for Ukraine.
But this latest statement now marks a decisive pivot, suggesting Trump is now willing to exert economic pressure on Russia to ensure long-term peace.
Russia has been blitzing Ukraine with massive overnight strikes, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.
Just last night, Nato was forced to scramble fighter jets after Moscow launched a massive missile drone strike on Ukrainian gas facilities.
Mad dictator Putin sent up his Tu-95MS strategic bombers from an Arctic airfield to launch devastating strikes, impacting Ukrainian civilians.
The overnight missile blitz came after Ukrainians were left raging after Trump axed sharing intelligence – leaving Kyiv’s troops “fighting blind”.
The Nato fighter planes were on alert to shoot down any Russian missiles entering Polish airspace as tensions continue to spiral between Europe, Russia and the US.
CAN EUROPE FILL THE GAP?
Yesterday, leaders gathered at an emergency EU summit in Brussels and signalled that a £670 billion war chest will be amassed to help Ukraine in the war against Russia.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called it a “watershed moment” for Europe and Ukraine.
And British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that a “coalition of the willing” would come together and devise a peace plan to end the bloody war.
An overwhelming 20 countries are now lined up to join to protect against further Russian aggression.
France‘s defence minister confirmed that his country was continuing to provide Ukraine with military intelligence.
President Emmanuel Macron said that France is ready to deploy a “nuclear shield” to help protect Europe from any looming Russian threats.
Zelensky had proposed an aerial truce with Moscow following the overnight attack and having met with EU leaders at the summit yesterday.
In a social media post, Zelensky called for “silence in the skies – a ban on the use of missiles, long-range drones and bombs.
“And also silence at sea – a real guarantee of normal navigation.”
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