President Trump stated on Thursday that he observed “good signals” regarding the potential finalization of a 30-day cease-fire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This statement came as U.S. officials were expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin in Moscow.
During a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Mr. Trump acknowledged that while discussions were ongoing, Mr. Putin had expressed no urgency for a cease-fire, outlining several conditions for a truce. “It doesn’t mean anything until we hear what the final outcome is,” Mr. Trump remarked, referring to the serious discussions taking place with President Putin. He described the situation as a “nightmare” and expressed hope for a resolution.
Mr. Trump indicated that the U.S. had been in talks with Ukraine regarding potential concessions as part of a peace agreement, mentioning discussions about territorial adjustments. “A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed,” he added.
In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed a pessimistic outlook during his evening address, stating that Mr. Putin’s response to the cease-fire proposal was “very predictable” and characterized by numerous preconditions that could hinder progress.
Despite Mr. Trump’s previous criticisms of NATO, his meeting with Mr. Rutte was characterized by amicable dialogue, focusing on areas of cooperation. Mr. Trump praised Mr. Rutte for his leadership, while Mr. Rutte acknowledged Mr. Trump’s role in encouraging increased military spending among NATO members.
Mr. Trump has previously expressed concerns that European allies do not contribute sufficiently to defense, suggesting that the U.S. may reconsider its mutual defense commitments. His approach to Russia and tariffs on the European Union have created divisions within NATO, with some member states contemplating a future less reliant on U.S. support.
Mr. Rutte, aiming to avoid confrontation, complimented Mr. Trump and sought to maintain a cooperative atmosphere during their discussions. When asked about the U.S. interest in annexing Greenland, Mr. Trump suggested that Mr. Rutte could play a role in facilitating this, citing national security concerns. Mr. Rutte, however, redirected the conversation, emphasizing the shared view that Russia and China represent threats to the Arctic region.