Trump Calls for End to Strikes on Kyiv as U.S. Presses for Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal

Former President Donald Trump publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt military strikes on Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, as part of a broader call to end hostilities and finalize a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the peace deal DONE,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The statement followed reports of renewed violence in Ukraine, where a missile strike on Thursday resulted in at least 10 deaths and more than 90 injuries, including children, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack marked one of the deadliest in recent weeks, adding urgency to international calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.

Trump’s comments come as the United States continues its role as a mediator in ongoing efforts to bring an end to the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Over two years later, peace remains elusive, despite multiple rounds of negotiation.

Earlier this month, Trump had expressed optimism that a breakthrough could be possible. Posting on Easter Sunday, he suggested a deal might be reached soon and said that both Ukraine and Russia could benefit from stronger economic ties with the U.S. once peace is achieved.

On April 11, he posted another message urging Russia to make progress toward ending the war, describing the conflict as “senseless” and highlighting the human cost. “Too many people are dying,” he wrote, echoing growing public frustration over the drawn-out hostilities.

Administration officials have also been signaling an increased sense of urgency. Vice President JD Vance addressed reporters last week, stating that the U.S. had presented a clear proposal to both parties and expected a response soon.

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians,” Vance said. “It’s time for them to either agree or accept that the U.S. may no longer remain involved in this process. We’ve done extensive diplomatic work, but we also need to know when it’s time to step back.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that sentiment in comments made during a visit to Paris. He emphasized that continued negotiations would depend on near-term progress and that a decision would need to be made within days, not weeks.

“We’re not going to continue indefinitely,” Rubio said. “If this is not workable soon, the president may decide to step away.”

While urging Russia to move forward, Trump also responded to recent remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who reiterated that Ukraine would never accept Russia’s control of Crimea, a region annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Trump described the statement as “inflammatory” and “unhelpful,” arguing that rigid positions could stall the peace process. During their last face-to-face meeting, Trump reportedly told Zelenskyy that Ukraine did not have enough leverage to make strong demands, a point he reiterated on Truth Social, referring to Zelenskyy as “the man with no cards to play.”

Despite the blunt rhetoric, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to reaching a resolution. “We want to see this end,” he said in a follow-up interview. “Too many lives have been lost.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia is engaged in peace discussions and emphasized that Moscow remains open to dialogue. He acknowledged that talks with the U.S. have faced difficulties but maintained that progress is being made.

“Our priority is to end the conflict while safeguarding national interests,” Peskov said, according to international news agencies. “We’re ready to continue communicating with our American counterparts.”

Analysts say that while both sides remain publicly committed to diplomacy, significant obstacles remain. Issues such as territorial disputes, political autonomy in contested regions, and long-standing tensions between NATO and Russia continue to complicate negotiations.

The U.S., which has played a leading role in facilitating talks and providing humanitarian and military support to Ukraine, is now weighing how long it will maintain its role in the process. The Trump administration’s recent statements suggest that there may be a timeline in place for winding down U.S. involvement if concrete results are not achieved.

Meanwhile, civilians in Ukraine continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with infrastructure damaged and daily life disrupted by ongoing attacks. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for aid delivery and the protection of civilians.

As diplomatic efforts continue, international observers are watching closely to see whether the latest push for peace can lead to meaningful results—or whether the impasse will persist as the conflict stretches further into its third year.