Suddenly Trump Sees a "Pretty Big Concession" on Putin's Side

WELT Suddenly Trump Sees a "Pretty Big Concession" on Putin's Side Leonhard Landes • 1 hour • 4 minutes read Russia launched heavy airstrikes against Ukraine last night. At least eight people died in Kyiv. US President Donald Trump is calling on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to end the attacks. He's now doubled down in front of the White House. In the struggle to end the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump sees it as a concession by the Kremlin that Russia no longer wants to completely conquer its neighbor. Asked what concessions Moscow was making in the negotiations, Trump said: "To end the war and not take over the entire country? A pretty big concession." The Russian military has controlled about one-fifth of the neighboring country since invading Ukraine – a share that has changed little despite the ongoing fighting over three years of war. Therefore, there is no indication that Russian troops could currently take over Ukraine completely. Trump expressed confidence that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could soon be reached. "We want to end this war, we want to end it quickly. And I think we've made a lot of progress, and we'll see what happens in the next few days because there are very important meetings that will take place," the Republican said on the sidelines of a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Trump emphasized that he was putting "a lot of pressure" on Russia. He assumed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would want to make a deal. But it takes two to tango, Trump said. He is convinced that Ukraine is also seeking an agreement. Trump did not respond to questions about the details of a possible agreement. "Vladimir, STOP!" Trump writes. He had previously criticized Putin after violent attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. "I am not happy about the Russian attacks on Kyiv," he wrote on Truth Social on Thursday, in all capital letters. "They are unnecessary and come at a very bad time. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers are dying every week. Let's complete the peace agreement!" In front of the White House, when asked whether he thought the Russian president would listen to him, he replied: "Yes, I do." Russia attacked Ukraine again overnight. In the largest Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv since the beginning of the year, at least eight people were killed and more than 70 injured on Thursday night. At one point, the death toll was reported to be nine. Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that residential buildings and cars in several districts in Kyiv had been hit and caught fire. A residential building was destroyed, and people were under the rubble. The injured, including six children, were taken to hospitals. Ukrainian media reported Russian airstrikes in other parts of the country as well. Ukrayinska Pravda reported that Ukraine was under massive Russian fire. Explosions were reported in several cities. "Very loud throughout the country." In total, Ukraine registered attacks with 215 drones and missiles. 48 missiles and 64 drones were intercepted and destroyed, the Ukrainian Air Force announced on Telegram. 68 drones were diverted by electronic jamming. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short his visit to South Africa due to Russia's major attack on Kyiv. He will cancel part of his program and return to Ukraine, Zelensky announced on Telegram. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will hold all necessary meetings in South Africa to provide updates on the situation in Ukraine. Trump spoke of an agreement on Wednesday Trump had said a deal with Russia to end the war was within reach on Wednesday. "I think we have a deal with Russia," he said at the White House in Washington. Now he still has to convince Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which is "more difficult." "We have to reach an agreement with Zelensky," Trump continued after signing several executive orders. "I thought it would be easier to negotiate with Zelensky. It's been harder so far, but that's okay." He added, "But I think we have an agreement with both of them." Details were not immediately disclosed. Trump's statement initially appeared to contradict recent statements by high-ranking US government officials. On Friday, Trump threatened to withdraw the US from the Ukraine negotiations if Kyiv or Moscow made the talks "very difficult." On Sunday, he then expressed hope for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine this week, but without providing further details on possible progress in the negotiations. US Increases Pressure on Ukraine Recently, Washington increased pressure on Kyiv to renounce the return of some Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's refusal to cede the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia, is "very damaging to peace negotiations" with Moscow, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. US Vice President J.D. Vance raised the possibility of freezing the current border lines in the Ukraine war. During a trip to India, Vance said both sides must relinquish some of the territory they currently control. A "clear proposal" had been presented to the Russians and Ukrainians. It is time for "either them to say yes" or for the US to withdraw from the negotiation process, Vance said. He did not specify a precise timeframe by which both sides would have to say "yes." According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia is only willing to agree to a ceasefire and peace with Ukraine if Kyiv completely renounces the territories annexed by Moscow. "There are four regions included in our constitution. The Ukrainian army must lay down its arms and withdraw. If it does so, military operations will cease immediately," Peskov said in an interview with the French news magazine "Le Point." This concerns the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, which are partially occupied by Russia. The Russian claims are not internationally recognized. The Kremlin spokesman's position contradicts reports of a Russian offer to freeze the front line without Russia gaining complete control over the four regions.