**Trump Frustrated with Both Sides Amid Ongoing Peace Talks**
The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump is “continually frustrated” with both Ukraine and Russia as peace talks continue to stall. In a press conference on April 11, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president wants to see an end to the fighting and believes there’s leverage in negotiating a deal.
The comments come ahead of a meeting between Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss a potential path towards settlement in Ukraine. Despite repeated threats, the US has not yet imposed major sanctions on Russia after it failed to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine agreed to a US proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11, provided Russia abides by the conditions.
However, Moscow has rejected the deal unless it includes conditions undermining Ukraine’s defenses, namely a full halt on foreign military aid. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, and the US agreed on March 25 to halt attacks on energy infrastructure and fighting in the Black Sea. But the Kremlin has blocked the partial ceasefire, saying that the Black Sea ceasefire would only take effect after some sanctions against Russia are lifted.
In recent days, Trump has renewed his push for a ceasefire. On April 11, he said that Russia “has to get moving” to end its war against Ukraine. The US president also threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire with Ukraine is not reached by the end of April.
Since Kyiv and Washington agreed on a temporary truce, Russia has launched 70 missiles, 2,200 Shahed drones, and 6,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 11. The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on civilians and the international community is watching with bated breath as peace talks continue to drag on.
**What’s Behind Trump’s Frustration?**
Commenting on Trump’s frustration, analysts point out that the US president’s approach to the conflict reflects his transactional view of diplomacy. “Trump sees negotiations as a zero-sum game where one side has to give in for the other to win,” said Dr. Maria Snegovaya, a Russia expert at the University of London. “This is why he’s frustrated with both Ukraine and Russia – they’re not compromising enough for his liking.”
Moreover, Trump’s administration has been criticized for its lack of clarity on what specific concessions it expects from Russia in exchange for a ceasefire. The ongoing peace talks have also highlighted the limitations of Western influence over Russian policy.
**What’s Next?**
The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue to unfold. While Trump has threatened additional sanctions if a ceasefire is not reached by the end of April, experts caution that these may not be effective enough to force Russia’s compliance. “Sanctions alone won’t work,” said Dr. Serhiy Kudelia, an expert on Ukrainian foreign policy at the National University of Kyiv. “We need more sustained pressure from Western countries and a clearer strategy to get Russia back to the negotiating table.”
The international community is watching closely as peace talks continue to falter. One thing is clear – the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance, and the consequences of failure could be catastrophic for all parties involved.
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