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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Russia has already made a "pretty big concession" in the war against Ukraine by not attempting to seize the entire country. The president also said that Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks that could "stop the war" is a concession.
Why It Matters
Trump's assertion has been met with strong resistance from Ukraine and many European nations, who argue that merely halting a full-scale land grab hardly qualifies as a meaningful concession.
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What to Know
Earlier in the day, Trump issued an unusually direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to "STOP!" the attacks on Ukraine—marking a rare public rebuke of the Kremlin from the U.S. president.
Russia struck Kyiv with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July 2024.
"I didn't like last night," Trump said Thursday, referring to a large-scale Russian assault on Kyiv. "I wasn't happy with it," he added, explaining his criticism of Putin.
By stating that Putin showed "very bad timing" with the recent large-scale assault, Trump appeared to imply that the Russian leader had undermined his own position—particularly Moscow's demand that any peace deal allow Russia to retain control of Crimea and the occupied Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, seized since the February 2022 invasion.
Later Thursday, however, Trump struck a more hopeful note, expressing cautious optimism that a peace agreement could eventually be reached.
"We are thinking that, very strongly, that they both want peace," the president said at the start of a lunch with visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. He added, "But they have to get to the table. We're waiting a long time."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently stated that recognizing Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territory is a non-negotiable red line. Speaking Thursday, he emphasized that Ukraine had agreed to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire 44 days ago as an initial step toward a negotiated peace—yet Russian attacks have continued unabated.
Trump's recent criticism of Putin stands out, particularly given his past claims that Russia, despite being the aggressor, has shown greater willingness than Ukraine to pursue a peace deal.
"I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. "So far it's been harder, but that's OK. It's all right."
Throughout his interactions with both leaders, Trump has emphasized perceived leverage, repeatedly stating that Putin "has the cards" while Zelenskyy does not. Simultaneously, his Republican administration has taken steps suggesting a more conciliatory stance toward Putin—continuing a pattern of admiration that Trump has expressed for the Russian leader in the past.
What People Are Saying
Amid media reports about the U.S. proposal, Zelensky firmly rejected the notion of ceding any territory, saying Tuesday, "There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people."
French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin should "stop lying" when he claims to want "peace" while continuing to bomb Ukraine,"There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?" Macron added that "the Americans' anger should focus on just one person: President Putin."
What Happens Next
The White House announced Tuesday that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow this week for a fresh round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war. It will mark their fourth meeting since Trump assumed office in January.
Meanwhile, leaders from the 32-nation alliance are scheduled to convene in the Netherlands in two months, amid continued pressure from Trump for member states to substantially increase their defense spending.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 4/24/25, 2:58 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/24/25, 3:18 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/24/25, 7:52 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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