US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States and its NATO allies are intensifying efforts to end the war in Ukraine, following his failed attempt to broker a ceasefire through direct talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
During a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed, “Yeah, we are stepping up the pressure.”
He emphasized the collaborative effort, stating, “We’re stepping it up together. We’re all stepping it up. NATO has been great.”
Challenges in Achieving Peace
This week, Trump successfully brokered a peace deal in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. However, he acknowledged that resolving the conflict sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine proves to be even more challenging. Trump hosted Putin in Alaska in August, but that meeting did not yield a breakthrough. Since then, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have intensified.
Russia reported on Wednesday that the momentum towards reaching a peace deal in Ukraine had largely vanished following the Trump-Putin meeting.
Despite these challenges, Stubb expressed confidence that Trump could push through a deal on Ukraine, similar to the recent Gaza agreement. He remarked, “I think this one will be the next big one,” indicating optimism about the potential for progress.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely to see if Trump’s renewed efforts will lead to a resolution in Ukraine.
