**US Offers Economic Incentives to End War in Ukraine**
The White House has suggested that economic partnerships with the United States could motivate Russia to end its full-scale war against Ukraine. This comes after a meeting between US President Donald Trump‘s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 11.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Witkoff believes that Russia wants to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. She stated that there is an incentive for Russia to stop fighting, which could be achieved through economic partnerships with the US. However, she emphasized that a ceasefire must come first before any further negotiations can take place.
**Previous Peace Talks and Economic Deals**
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin was described as “productive.” He hinted at a possible peace deal based on the status of five territories: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Witkoff also mentioned that there are compelling commercial opportunities for the US and Russia to explore.
Since Trump took office in January, Washington has taken steps to normalize relations with Moscow, focusing on economic ties. After a phone call between Trump and Putin on March 18, the Kremlin stated that both leaders were interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors.
**Ongoing Conflict**
Despite these efforts, Russia continues to launch deadly attacks on Ukraine’s civilian centers. The northeastern city of Sumy was targeted with ballistic missiles on Palm Sunday, killing 35 people and injuring 117. Russia also refuses to accept Washington’s call for a full 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv has already backed.
**US Efforts to Normalize Relations**
The Trump administration is pursuing a minerals deal with Kyiv that would give the US control over revenues from Ukraine’s natural resources. However, this agreement includes no security guarantees and has been met with criticism from some quarters.
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high, the international community continues to call for an end to hostilities. The White House’s suggestion of economic incentives as a way to spur Russia into ending its war in Ukraine is just one example of the complex diplomatic efforts underway to resolve this ongoing conflict.
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