Trump Urges Putin to Halt Ukraine War After Deadly Strikes

President Donald Trump has publicly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine and pursue a peace agreement, following a deadly missile strike on Kyiv. Trump emphasized his desire to end the war quickly and stated he has no favorites between Russia and Ukraine, insisting that his main goal is to stop the conflict and save lives. He criticized both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for rejecting a deal involving Crimea and President Joe Biden for allowing the war to escalate, while repeatedly dodging questions about formally recognizing Crimea as Russian territory. Trump’s comments reflect his focus on diplomacy and an immediate ceasefire, though his stance on Crimea and pressure on Ukraine have drawn criticism. Ukrainian President Zelensky has maintained that Ukraine will not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and questioned whether Western allies are doing enough to pressure Russia. These developments highlight ongoing tensions in the search for a negotiated settlement to the war.