President Trump expressed private frustration over the difficulty of mediating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, revealing that the process has been more challenging than expected. He cited the animosity between Putin and Zelensky as a major obstacle.
A recent Russian attack on Kyiv, resulting in casualties, occurred just as Trump believed he was close to a deal, adding to his frustration. He publicly criticized the timing of the attack, though his public criticism of Russia has been comparatively less than his criticism of Ukraine.
Trump insists he is applying pressure to both Russia and Ukraine to reach a deal. He views Russia's refraining from taking over the whole country as a significant concession, while also emphasizing Ukraine's role in the negotiations. Trump's personal appeals to Putin and Zelensky, via social media, demonstrate the uneven distribution of his messaging, with considerably longer statements directed at Zelensky than at Putin.
Trump's proposed peace plan, which favors Russia's position, has raised alarm among some US allies. Different opinions on the prospects for peace were expressed by various officials, including NATO leaders who met with Trump. Current NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte seemed less optimistic than Trump about Putin's willingness to compromise, highlighting a divergence in perspectives on Russia's actions and future intentions.