Just hours after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, United States President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of deliberately prolonging the Ukraine conflict. Trump suggested that Moscow might have no real intention of negotiating peace, despite public claims to the contrary.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along and has to be dealt with differently, through 'Banking' or 'Secondary Sanctions?' Too many people are dying." His comments marked a notable hardening of tone against the Russian leader, even as Trump has historically been seen as more conciliatory towards Moscow compared to other American leaders.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after his second meeting with Zelenskyy, which took place on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, a somber event that nonetheless provided an opportunity for urgent diplomatic discussions. Their previous meeting, held at the Oval Office last month, had been tense but was described as "constructive" by Kyiv officials. The Rome encounter, though brief, was portrayed in a slightly more positive light.
After their latest meeting, Zelenskyy posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a "good meeting" and reiterating his hopes for a "full and unconditional ceasefire" and a "lasting peace." He emphasized that the one-on-one discussion, though symbolic, had the potential for "historic" significance if it led to concrete outcomes. A photograph accompanying the post showed the two leaders shaking hands against the backdrop of Rome’s solemn ceremonies.
Meanwhile, in a seemingly contradictory move, the Kremlin announced that Putin had conveyed to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff his willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine "without preconditions." However, skepticism remains high in Washington and European capitals regarding the sincerity of Moscow’s intentions, especially given the recent escalation of attacks on Ukrainian cities.
In an interesting and rare shift from his earlier rhetoric, Trump’s comments showed a more tempered stance towards Ukraine. While he has previously criticized Zelenskyy and questioned continued U.S. support for Kyiv, Trump softened his tone slightly, refraining from personal attacks against the Ukrainian leader. Nonetheless, he maintained his consistent line of pressing both sides towards a swift ceasefire, warning that his administration would withdraw its mediation efforts if meaningful progress was not achieved.
Behind the scenes, however, there are signs of growing tensions. Internal documents obtained by Reuters reveal widening rifts between the Trump White House and European allies, particularly over the direction and urgency of the peace process. Some European diplomats reportedly view Trump’s approach as overly transactional and too accommodating to Moscow, while others fear that Washington’s shifting stance could weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position.
The personal relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy remains uneasy. During their Oval Office meeting, Trump had bluntly warned Zelenskyy that he was "gambling with World War Three" by resisting compromises. Zelenskyy, for his part, reportedly dismissed Trump as "stuck in a disinformation bubble," hinting at concerns that the American president was being misled by voices sympathetic to Russia.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations — and the broader trajectory of the war itself — appears increasingly uncertain, with personal dynamics between leaders and evolving geopolitical calculations shaping the next critical moves.
