Trump Loses Patience with Putin Ahead of Ukraine Ceasefire Call

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump is growing increasingly impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin over stalled ceasefire negotiations in the Ukraine war. Stubb, who recently spoke at length with both Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, described Zelensky as patient while Trump is losing patience in a direction aimed at pressuring Russia. Trump plans to engage in a high-stakes phone call with Putin to discuss ending the conflict, followed by talks with Zelensky and NATO representatives. Despite recent diplomatic setbacks—including Putin sending lower-level delegates instead of attending peace talks in Istanbul—the situation for Ukraine has shown some improvement, including agreement on a large prisoner exchange. Stubb also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen sanctions against Russia with potential new legislation in the U.S. Congress aimed at crippling Russia's finances, emphasizing the importance of coordinated Western actions rather than individual European engagement with Putin. The overall diplomatic momentum reflects a cautious but hopeful push toward a ceasefire, with Trump taking a more assertive stance to end the war.