US President Donald Trump is optimistic about securing a peace deal to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggesting an agreement could be reached as soon as next week.
Speaking to reporters at the South Lawn on Saturday, Leavitt stated, “The president and his team are actively engaged in negotiations with both sides to bring an end to the conflict. He is very confident that we can achieve this goal within the coming week.”
Trump’s Stance on Zelenskyy’s Involvement
Trump’s remarks follow his controversial statement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may not be essential in the peace negotiations. In a conversation with Fox News, Trump said, “I don’t think he’s very important in these meetings. He has been there for three years and makes it difficult to finalize deals.”
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that a Ukraine-Russia peace deal could be finalized as soon as THIS WEEK! pic.twitter.com/VfSyettnPP
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 23, 2025
Despite this, the US president later acknowledged that Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin would ultimately need to engage in discussions to bring the war to an end.
Possible Trump-Putin Summit in the Works
Adding weight to the ongoing negotiations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov revealed that preparations are underway for a potential face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin. He emphasized that the discussions would extend beyond the Ukraine war and address broader global concerns.
“The aim is to initiate steps toward normalizing US-Russia relations and finding solutions to pressing geopolitical challenges, Ukraine being one of them,” Ryabkov stated. However, he clarified that the planning was still in its early stages, requiring extensive groundwork before finalization.
Recent US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia
Earlier this week, US and Russian representatives met in Saudi Arabia and reportedly agreed to advance diplomatic and economic ties while working towards a resolution for the Ukraine conflict. Senior US officials have indicated that a potential peace deal may require Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and relinquish 20% of its Russian-occupied territory.
Following the discussions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both sides had broadly agreed on three primary objectives: restoring full embassy operations, forming a high-level support team for peace talks, and exploring avenues for closer diplomatic cooperation.
Zelenskyy Rejects Any Deal Without Kyiv’s Participation
Despite these developments, Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine will not recognize any agreement made without its direct involvement. The Ukrainian leader has insisted that his country must be part of any decision-making process related to the war’s resolution.
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his determination to bring the war to a close, acknowledging Russia’s invasion but expressing confidence in a peaceful resolution. “This conflict has to end, and it will,” he stated.
With diplomatic efforts intensifying and a potential high-level summit on the horizon, all eyes are now on how negotiations between global leaders unfold in the coming days.
