Trump also revealed that he is seriously considering imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia if Ukraine does not agree to a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have confirmed that at least 14 people were killed in a Russian attack on the Donetsk region. In a related move, the U.S. has temporarily restricted access to certain satellite images, potentially impacting Ukraine’s intelligence capabilities.
These developments come a week after a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Following their public disagreement, Trump suspended all military and intelligence aid to Ukraine. In response, Russia launched a major missile and drone strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday night.
Trump acknowledged the escalating Russian offensives against Ukraine but suggested that any leader in President Vladimir Putin’s position would make similar decisions. “Putin has intensified attacks on Ukraine,” Trump said. “But if someone else were in his place, they would likely do the same.”
He expressed belief that Putin is willing to end the war but questioned whether Ukraine is ready for peace. “I want Ukraine to work towards peace, but it’s unclear if they truly want it,” Trump remarked.
Trump’s direct diplomatic approach has surprised NATO allies, as Western nations have largely limited official dialogue with Russia since 2022. However, in recent days, Trump administration officials have shown interest in improving ties with Ukraine.
U.S. officials are reportedly pushing for Ukraine to involve American companies in mineral agreements and to agree to a ceasefire with Moscow. Zelensky, however, has consistently prioritized Ukraine’s security above all else. Trump suggested that security concerns could be addressed at a later stage.
Meanwhile, U.S. space technology company Maxar confirmed that Washington has temporarily restricted access to high-resolution satellite imagery, which is considered strategically crucial during wartime.
Next week, senior Trump administration officials are set to meet Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, where increased pressure on Zelensky to accept a ceasefire agreement is expected. Zelensky, however, has expressed optimism about the talks, stating that Ukraine is committed to achieving peace as soon as possible and is ready to take concrete steps toward it.
