President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that the U.S. is “just about” ready to lift its freeze on intelligence sharing with Ukraine, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end Russia’s ongoing invasion. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We want to do anything we can to get Ukraine serious about getting something done,” signaling a shift from the U.S. stance under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Trump’s approach marks a dramatic departure from Biden’s “ironclad” support for Ukraine, with the former president previously freezing military aid and intelligence assistance, while also attempting to pressure Ukraine into controversial deals. His administration had blamed Ukraine for instigating the war and questioned President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.
The announcement comes ahead of high-level peace talks set to take place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The U.S. delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, will meet with Ukrainian representatives, led by Andriy Yermak, to discuss a potential peace deal. Trump suggested the U.S. is looking for signs that Ukraine is willing to make peace.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to continue negotiations. The Ukrainian president expressed hope for results, emphasizing that Ukraine has been seeking peace since the start of the conflict. He reiterated that the war persists solely due to Russia’s actions.
The U.S.-Ukraine relationship has become strained, causing concern among European leaders, who are urging Zelenskyy to mend ties with Trump. Russia, meanwhile, has expressed optimism, with officials noting Trump’s stance appears to align with Moscow’s views. As the peace talks loom, Trump and his team have made it clear that both Ukraine and Russia will be required to make concessions in pursuit of a resolution.
President Trump Picture on Flickr by Gage Skidmore CC-BY-SA-2-0
