WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just a day before President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a two-hour long phone call, Russia launched more than one-hundred drones into Ukraine. The President has been urging for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
After the phone call, the President shared on social media that Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire. Ukraine has repeatedly criticized Russia for not halting their attacks during potential negotiations. The President was asked how serious could Putin be in wanting peace if he continues attacking Ukraine:
“Well, he’s at war,” said President Trump. “Nobody said ‘don’t.’ They’re fighting. They’re attacking. They’re attacking each other. And people are dying all the time. He’s in a war. He’s fighting a war. Nobody said he was going to stop. I think is it terrible? Yeah, it’s terrible. I do. I think it’s terrible.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on social media he’s been in contact with several European leaders following the President’s call. He said “there is no doubt that the war must end at the negotiating table,” said Zelenskyy in a social media post on X. “Ukraine is ready for any negotiation format that delivers results. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine progress, there must be tough consequences.”
“We need to see a ceasefire to see this war end,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy. Congressional members we spoke with said the loss of life from this war is staggering.
“I think that’s one of the things for people who are really looking at it – when he says five-thousand lives a week in loss, this is something we’ve got to get fixed,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA). “The money is an issue, the protection is an issue but more than anything else the loss of life is an issue.”
“This war needs to come to a conclusion and I hope the President is successful in enforcing a ceasefire,” said Rep. Langworthy. “Both sides need to be serious so they can get this done.”
The President says the Vatican could host those negotiation talks. In one of his first speeches as the newly elected Pope, Pope Leo said he hopes that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ends.
