U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed renewed optimism about brokering a swift end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting that a peace agreement could be reached within “two weeks or less.” The comments followed a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Vatican City, where both leaders attended the funeral of Pope Francis.
A Symbolic and Hopeful Encounter
Describing the meeting as “productive,” Trump highlighted Zelenskyy’s continued plea for military aid while affirming his commitment to facilitating peace. “I want [Putin] to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal,” Trump said during remarks in New Jersey, adding that he believes the groundwork for a resolution is already in place.
Zelenskyy echoed the tone of cautious optimism in a post on X, calling it a “symbolic meeting” with the potential to become “historic” if it leads to a durable ceasefire and long-term peace.
Momentum Builds for Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the sense of forward momentum, telling NBC’s Meet the Press that “real progress” had been made in recent days. He emphasized that while final hurdles remain, the sides are closer than at any time in the last three years. “This is a critical week,” Rubio noted, underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic focus.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added that the U.S. is prepared to use both incentives and pressure—such as additional sanctions—to encourage all parties toward a negotiated settlement.
Emphasis on Results and Stability
Trump’s proposal envisions not just a ceasefire, but a wider agreement that addresses underlying issues such as territorial disputes and future security guarantees. While acknowledging the complexity of issues like Crimea, Trump insisted that compromise was possible.
“We’re looking for a deal that ends the violence and helps both nations return to stability,” he said.
A Cautious Yet Encouraging Path Ahead
Though critics remain wary of the timeline and potential concessions, there is growing hope that Trump’s personal engagement could inject new urgency into stalled negotiations. With backing from key U.S. leaders and cautious optimism from Ukraine, the coming weeks may prove pivotal in reshaping the trajectory of the conflict.
As Rubio noted, “There are reasons to be optimistic—but also reasons to stay realistic.” Nonetheless, the sense of diplomatic momentum has rekindled hopes that peace in Eastern Europe may be closer than previously believed.
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