US President Donald Trump has described negotiations with Ukraine as being “more difficult” than those with Russia, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s approach to the ongoing conflict. As Trump pushes for a ceasefire and a final settlement between the two warring nations, his comments suggest growing frustration with Ukrainian leadership, particularly President Vladimir Zelensky, who has been vocal about his security demands.

During a press interaction on March 7, Trump was asked about Russian airstrikes in Ukraine and whether he still believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought peace. His response was unequivocal: “I believe him. I think we’re going very well with Russia.”

However, his subsequent remarks caught many by surprise. “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump stated, emphasizing that despite Ukraine’s weaker position in the conflict, its leadership has been more resistant to negotiation efforts than Moscow.

Trump’s assertion that Russia holds “all the cards” implies that he sees Moscow as having a stronger bargaining position due to its territorial gains and military leverage. While this stance might alienate some of Washington’s closest European allies, it could also pave the way for a more pragmatic approach to conflict resolution.

Trump’s stance on the war has been evolving. Earlier this week, he made a dramatic move by pausing all weapons shipments and restricting intelligence-sharing with Kiev. This decision followed a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky, where the Ukrainian president reportedly demanded security guarantees and a clearer commitment to Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. Trump refused to provide either, underscoring his belief that direct US military involvement in Ukraine is not in Washington’s best interest.

Additionally, Trump has floated the idea of imposing additional sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire agreement is reached. While seemingly contradictory to his stance on Russia, this maneuver is likely aimed at pressuring both sides to negotiate. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged, “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”

Zelensky’s response to Trump’s shifting posture has been mixed. While he initially reacted with defiance, he later sent Trump a letter expressing a willingness to engage in peace talks “as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.” His concession may have been influenced by Trump’s decision to withhold military assistance, which has left Ukraine more vulnerable as the war drags on.

The United States and Ukraine are now expected to hold negotiations in Saudi Arabia next week, marking a critical juncture in the conflict. The talks will follow a series of secretive US-Russia discussions in Riyadh and Istanbul last month, which were the first such high-level diplomatic engagements since the Biden administration cut off official relations with Moscow in 2022.

Despite the movement towards dialogue, significant hurdles remain. On March 4, Zelensky proposed a partial truce and a prisoner swap as an initial step toward ending hostilities. France echoed this proposal, signaling growing European frustration with the ongoing conflict. However, Moscow has maintained that any lasting peace must address the root causes of the war, including NATO’s expansion toward Russia’s borders.

Putin has set clear conditions for a settlement: Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations, recognize Crimea and four other regions as Russian territory, and commit to neutrality. These demands remain non-negotiable for the Kremlin. Given that Zelensky and Western leaders have consistently rejected them, the prospect of an immediate ceasefire remains uncertain.

Trump’s handling of the war reflects a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s approach. While President Joe Biden maintained unwavering military and financial support for Ukraine, Trump appears more focused on finding a swift exit from the conflict, even if it means forcing Ukraine to make concessions.

This shift in policy has drawn mixed reactions. Some US lawmakers argue that Trump is undermining Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and rewarding Russian aggression. Others, particularly those in the isolationist wing of the Republican Party, have welcomed Trump’s push for diplomacy, seeing it as a necessary step to prevent further US entanglement in foreign conflicts.

European allies, especially Poland and the Baltic states, are alarmed by Trump’s position. Many fear that Washington’s retreat from supporting Ukraine will embolden Russia and jeopardize security in Eastern Europe. France and Germany, both of whom have attempted to broker peace independently, may find themselves forced to take a larger role in the mediation process.

Trump’s rejection of NATO membership for Ukraine also sends a clear message that Washington is unwilling to escalate tensions further. By denying Kiev’s bid to join the military bloc, Trump aims to avoid a direct US-Russia confrontation. However, this could also weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position and solidify Russia’s territorial gains.

With talks scheduled in Saudi Arabia, all eyes will be on the negotiating teams. If Ukraine and the US shift toward a more compromise-driven approach, the war could see its first real de-escalation in years. However, if negotiations falter and Trump continues to pressure Kiev while withholding military support, Ukraine may find itself in an increasingly precarious position.

For now, Trump’s declaration that Russia is “easier to deal with” than Ukraine signals a dramatic realignment in Washington’s foreign policy. Whether this approach leads to peace or further instability remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the dynamics of the war are changing, and Ukraine can no longer assume unconditional US support.

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