WASHINGTON, August 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has said the war between Russia and Ukraine might be brought to a close within “a week or two,” raising hopes of a rapid breakthrough after months of stalled negotiations.
Speaking at the White House alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, Trump insisted that there are no “insurmountable” obstacles to a settlement. He expressed confidence that the sides could reach a deal preventing “any future aggression against Ukraine,” while dismissing concerns about lasting security guarantees as “overrated.”
Trump added that Russian President Vladimir Putin “also wants to find a solution” and suggested a possible three-way summit in the near future.
“I have a feeling you and President Putin will work something out,” he told Zelensky, hinting at sensitive discussions over territorial control.
Putin has previously said Russia seeks a peace “that would satisfy us and ensure long-term security,” citing the principle that “where the Russian soldier sets foot, that land is ours.” The Kremlin has consistently rejected the idea of exchanging territories, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirming in February that no such deal is possible.
