President Donald Trump said he hopes to finalize a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement “in two weeks or less,” following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican over the weekend. The comments come as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire set to begin May 8.
What did Trump and Zelenskyy discuss?
Trump and Zelenskyy met in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26, during events surrounding Pope Francis’ funeral. Trump said Zelenskyy asked for more U.S. military support, but added he wanted to assess the negotiations before committing further aid.
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Trump criticized Russia for continuing missile and drone strikes against Ukraine despite ongoing peace talks led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey before returning to Washington, Trump said he urged Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal,” suggesting a framework for an agreement is already in place.
Zelenskyy described the meeting as “really productive” but did not elaborate. He emphasized the goals of protecting Ukrainian lives and achieving a full ceasefire that could lead to a lasting peace.
What role does Crimea play in the negotiations?
Trump suggested Ukraine might be willing to relinquish its claim to Crimea, the region Russia annexed in 2014. When asked directly if he believed Zelenskyy would give up Crimea, Trump responded, “I think so.”
Ukraine has long maintained that reclaiming Crimea is non-negotiable. However, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko recently acknowledged that territorial concessions could become part of a broader peace deal. Russian officials reinforced that recognition of Crimea and other annexed territories must be part of any settlement.
What is Russia’s position heading into the ceasefire?
The Kremlin said it would halt military operations from May 8 to May 11 to coincide with Russia’s World War II victory anniversary. Russian officials emphasized that Ukraine must also honor the ceasefire or risk retaliation.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined Moscow’s conditions for a permanent peace, including legal recognition of Russian control over Crimea and four other occupied Ukrainian regions, the demilitarization of Ukraine, the lifting of Western sanctions and the return of frozen Russian assets.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Ukrainian officials reported continued shelling in areas such as Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy and Kherson over the weekend. In an overnight address, Zelenskyy said Russia’s words have not been matched by action on the battlefield.
How close are the sides to reaching an agreement?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, that negotiations are closer than at any point in the past three years, but significant obstacles remain. He called the upcoming week “critical” in determining whether the U.S. will continue investing diplomatic resources in the talks.
Rubio said that any agreement must be based on verification, security guarantees and facts rather than trust between the parties. He warned that progress must happen soon or the U.S. may need to shift its focus to other priorities.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said the administration is considering additional sanctions against Russia to maintain pressure during negotiations, targeting sectors such as banking and energy.
