Trump wants to end the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year

Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s leadership, a significant diplomatic step has been taken. Ukrainian and American delegations met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Trump’s vision to end the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year. According to Reuters, Ukraine’s Defense Minister confirmed that the meeting, which began on Sunday night, focused on proposals to secure energy facilities and critical infrastructure.

This diplomatic effort is part of a broader process in which Trump has engaged in separate talks with both Russia and Ukraine to establish a ceasefire. Last week, Trump held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Putin pledged to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy sites for 30 days. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a similar pause. However, the agreement remains fragile, with reports of violations from both sides.

Today’s meeting, held ahead of planned talks between American and Russian delegations in Riyadh, marks a small but significant step. Discussions emphasized halting attacks on energy infrastructure and building confidence through measures like the return of Ukrainian children from Russia. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated, “We want to move toward stabilizing the fronts after a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, which requires verification mechanisms and peacekeeping forces.”

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground remains tense. This morning, a Russian missile strike in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region injured 28 people, including 4 children. The attack targeted an industrial facility, also damaging residential areas and a hospital. Meanwhile, both sides are blaming each other for an attack on a gas metering station in Russia’s Kursk region. These incidents highlight that the ceasefire has not yet fully taken hold.

From the start of his term, Trump has claimed he would quickly resolve global conflicts. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, he has applied his business-oriented approach, engaging directly with both Zelensky and Putin. On Saturday, Trump said these efforts were “somewhat under control,” but experts believe there remains a significant gap between Russia’s and Ukraine’s expectations.

Russian negotiators, including Kremlin diplomat Grigory Karasin and former spy chief Sergei Beseda, are set to meet with the American delegation in Riyadh. Russia maintains it will not back down from its maximum goals, while Ukraine insists on respect for its territorial sovereignty. The Trump administration is working to bridge this divide, though it remains a formidable challenge.