Washington DC [US]: United States President Donald Trump has expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine could reach a peace agreement this week to end the ongoing war between the two nations. In a post on his media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Trump voiced optimism, suggesting that both countries could benefit economically by forging stronger ties with the US.
“HOPEFULLY RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WILL MAKE A DEAL THIS WEEK. BOTH WILL THEN START TO DO BIG BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHICH IS THRIVING, AND MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the two nations. According to a CNN report on Friday, the US is reportedly ready to recognize Russian control over Crimea as part of the proposed framework for a peace agreement. The framework, which includes an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, was shared with Ukrainian and European officials in Paris on Thursday.
Although key elements of the framework remain in progress, US officials plan to work with Europe and Ukraine on the deal in London next week, the source stated.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 was widely condemned as illegal by the international community, a factor that remains a contentious issue in the ongoing conflict.
In a separate statement, Trump signaled that the US might reconsider its involvement in facilitating a peace agreement if the negotiation process becomes too challenging. He warned that if either party makes the negotiations difficult, the US would withdraw from the efforts.
“If, for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say, ‘You’re foolish, you’re foolish. You’re horrible people,’ and we’re just going to take a pass,” Trump said.
Despite these remarks, Trump expressed cautious optimism, adding that he believed there was a “really good chance” for the agreement to succeed and that the situation was “coming to a head right now.”