Trump doubts Putin’s willingness to finish Ukraine struggle after Vatican assembly with Zelensky — and threatens additional sanctions | EUROtoday

Donald Trump is taking a more durable line on Vladimir Putin, doubting the Russian chief’s willingness to finish his struggle on Ukraine. The president famous that additional sanctions on Russia could also be wanted.

Trump made the commentary in a Truth Social put up from aboard Air Force One as he returns to the U.S., having attended the funeral of Pope Francis at which he held a one-on-one assembly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the Vatican.

The president particularly known as out the Russian chief for the continued bombing of civilian areas of Ukraine.

“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,” Trump posted on his social media platform.

“He’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

Meanwhile, in Moscow, Putin has reiterated the Russian aspect’s readiness for talks with Ukraine with out preconditions at a gathering with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, the Interfax information company reported on Saturday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Witkoff met Putin for 3 hours in Moscow on Friday to debate the U.S. plan to finish the struggle in Ukraine, and Trump had beforehand stated the 2 sides have been “very close to a deal,” regardless of obvious variations of their positions.

Zelensky posted his account of his assembly with President Trump on Telegram, writing: “Good meeting. One-on-one, we managed to discuss a lot. We hope for a result from all the things that were spoken about.”

He stated these matters included: “The protection of the lives of our people. A complete and unconditional ceasefire. A reliable and lasting peace that will prevent a recurrence of war.”

Zelensky added: “It was a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results. Thank you, President Donald Trump!”

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Saturday, after a “very positive” alternate with Zelensky on the Vatican, that Ukraine was prepared for an unconditional ceasefire and that the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” led by France and Britain would proceed engaged on reaching that, in addition to a long-lasting peace.

“Ending the war in Ukraine. That is an objective that we share in common with President Trump,” Macron wrote in a put up on the social media platform X.

“Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire. President Zelensky told me that again today. He’d like to work with the Americans and the Europeans to put it into effect.”

President Trump’s newest remarks on Putin and the Ukraine struggle got here on the finish of a grievance-filled tirade, initially attacking “The Failing New York Times” for its protection suggesting that Ukraine ought to get again territory taken by Russia.

“Including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II,” wrote Trump.

He attacked his predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, for his or her dealing with of Russia’s ambitions in Ukraine, saying the battle was “Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, not mine,” and calling Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea “the Obama Crimea Giveaway.”

A bipartisan invoice was launched within the U.S. Senate initially of April by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal that might introduce major and secondary sanctions in opposition to Russia and actors supporting its struggle on Ukraine.

“These sanctions against Russia are at the ready and will receive overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support if presented to the Senate and House for a vote,” the senators stated in an announcement. “We support an immediate ceasefire to secure a lasting, honorable peace.”

Following the Pope’s funeral, the president departed Rome on Air Force One shortly after 1 p.m. native time en path to Newark Liberty International Airport, the place he’s anticipated to the touch down at roughly 5 p.m. ET.