U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that ‘tremendous progress’ has been made in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, though he has not yet agreed to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until the peace deal is finalized. In a lengthy post shared on Truth Social, Trump claimed that his team had made ‘tremendous progress’ with respect to ending the war, calling it the most significant movement toward peace since the conflict began. He stated that the original 28-Point Peace Plan, drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned with inputs from both sides, leaving only a few points of disagreement. Trump emphasized that he would only meet with Putin and Zelensky once the peace deal is finalized, highlighting his determination to ensure a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
Trump outlined the next steps in the negotiation process, directing his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Putin while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will engage with the Ukrainians. He said that he would be briefed on all progress made, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Russia recently launched a drone-and-missile strike on Kyiv, killing at least seven people and damaging infrastructure. U.S. diplomats described the talks as the ‘closest they have been’ to an agreement since the war began, indicating that the negotiations are moving closer to a resolution. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and its EU partners are close to finalizing a plan for Ukraine’s support with a ‘serious’ peace agreement rooted in international law. He warned that renewed Russian strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure show that the situation on the ground is the opposite of a genuine desire for peace. Macron outlined the coalition’s priorities, including increased sanctions on Russia to pile on pressure for negotiations, and emphasized the need for long-term security guarantees to ensure any ceasefire is sustainable.
Macron also highlighted two key initiatives: finalizing an EU solution for frozen Russian assets and establishing long-term security guarantees to ensure any ceasefire is enforceable and durable. He stated that the next few days would allow them to finalize these security guarantees, which are essential for Ukraine, for negotiating a credible peace, and to maintain pressure on Russia. Despite the progress in negotiations, the violence continues, with Russia’s drone-and-missile strike on Kyiv underscoring the ongoing conflict. The situation remains complex, with both sides vying for a resolution that balances territorial integrity and security. The upcoming meeting between Trump’s team and the respective leaders will be a critical moment in determining the next steps toward peace in Ukraine.