Trump sets deadline for Russia-Ukraine peace talks

President Trump has announced his own deadline for achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict and saving lives, though he has not disclosed specific details about the timeline. Trump has expressed frustration with the slow pace of negotiations and suggested both sides are interested in peace, but significant obstacles remain, including Russia's conditions for a ceasefire that Ukraine has previously rejected. Amid ongoing missile attacks on Kyiv and rising casualties, Trump publicly urged Russian President Putin to halt hostilities. The Trump administration has signaled it may withdraw from peace talks if a deal is not reached soon, a stance that has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers who argue that such a move could embolden Russia and harm Ukraine's position. Russia, meanwhile, has dismissed the idea of hard deadlines as unrealistic and indicated a preference for direct bilateral negotiations with Ukraine, although such talks are currently barred by Ukrainian law. European leaders have expressed support for a swift ceasefire and have engaged in discussions with U.S. officials to clarify America's strategy if Russia refuses to halt its offensive.