President Donald Trump announced plans to prioritize efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war following the formalization of a peace deal with Iran. This statement was made during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in France. Trump indicated that he had discussions with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that both leaders may be open to negotiations.
Trump stated, "Now that this [Iran campaign] is finished, we’re going to be focusing on that — see if we can get that one done," referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where he noted significant casualties. The war has seen a stalemate for over a year, with Russian advances slowing and increasing civilian attacks reported.
Zelensky expressed interest in organizing a meeting with Putin in the U.S. to facilitate discussions, while Putin's adviser mentioned that the Russian president sees potential for improved relations with Trump. However, the Kremlin's demands for peace include significant territorial control and military restrictions on Ukraine, which have been met with resistance from Zelensky's government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the challenges in reaching a peace agreement, stating that neither side has shown willingness to make necessary concessions.