Donald Trump optimistic: We are closer than ever to peace in Ukraine
Donald Trump declared that peace in Ukraine is "closer than ever," after a conversation he described as very positive with European leaders, during a ceremony in the Oval Office.
According to him, there is broad support from Europe for ending the war, while both Russia and Ukraine, at least at this stage, express a desire for the conflict to end.
Trump's statements come at a time when intensive talks are taking place in Berlin between the US, Ukraine and European partners. Although the American side speaks of an agreement on about 90% of the issues, the most difficult point remains the territorial one, especially the Donbas region.
In Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Trump's role in creating a positive climate for the negotiations, saying that without his involvement there would not have been this moment of progress. Merz also stressed the importance of the role of US envoys and expressed hope for further progress in the talks.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that the negotiations are "painful," especially when it comes to territory, but called them necessary. He insisted that strong security guarantees are a prerequisite for any agreement and that Ukraine needs clarity before considering territorial issues.
A joint statement by European leaders, present in Berlin, welcomed the “significant progress” achieved so far, but stressed that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” The document underlines the need for strong security guarantees, continued military and economic support for Ukraine, and respect for the principle that international borders cannot be changed by force.
However, diplomatic sources say the US is pressuring Ukraine to withdraw troops from parts of the Donetsk region, a key demand for Russia. This makes the territory the main obstacle to a final agreement.
Despite the optimism expressed by Trump, European and Ukrainian leaders remain cautious, emphasizing that the negotiations are still at a delicate stage and that the final solution will require difficult compromise and credible guarantees for a lasting peace.
