Trump Signals Cautious Optimism on Ukraine War Amid Broader Diplomatic Push

ISTANBUL : US President Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration is observing early indications of progress toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, even as Washington simultaneously pursues diplomatic engagement with Iran and addresses multiple crises across the Middle East.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described a crowded foreign policy agenda, pointing to parallel efforts involving Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and regional conflicts. His remarks came ahead of planned talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, scheduled for Friday.

“You have Iran, and you have Russia, Ukraine, and you have the Middle East. We have a lot of things going,” Trump said, noting that many of the conflicts began before his return to office.

Human Cost and Lingering Hostility

Turning to the Ukraine conflict, Trump expressed cautious optimism, saying his administration may be approaching a breakthrough. “For the first time, I’m saying that maybe we’re doing very well,” he said, adding that there could be “some good news” ahead.

The president emphasized the scale of human losses, describing the war as senseless and deadly. He claimed that approximately 25,000 people are killed each month in the conflict, underscoring the humanitarian toll despite the war’s indirect impact on the United States.

Trump also renewed criticism of former President Joe Biden’s handling of military assistance to Ukraine, alleging that the previous administration spent $350 billion on the effort.

He said his administration’s strategy places greater financial responsibility on US allies, arguing that European countries reimburse the United States for weapons through NATO mechanisms. “We send missiles, and they pay us in full. It doesn’t cost us anything,” Trump said.

Obstacles to Peace

Despite his optimistic tone, Trump acknowledged that progress toward a settlement has been slower than anticipated, citing entrenched hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“There’s tremendous hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin,” Trump said, describing the personal animosity between the two leaders as a major barrier to accelerating peace talks.

Trump reiterated that his overarching goal is to reduce civilian and military casualties. “What I really want is to stop people from dying,” he said, as his administration continues to navigate multiple global crises simultaneously.