Trump Withdraws from Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks as Southern Front Intensifies

Efforts to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine are faltering as both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with Moscow massing troops in southern Ukraine and demanding veto power over security guarantees, while Ukraine insists on European and NATO involvement. US President Donald Trump has shifted from active mediation to a wait-and-see approach, indicating he will withdraw from the trilateral peace talks until Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a bilateral meeting first. Trump expressed skepticism about the likelihood of cooperation between Putin and Zelensky, calling their relationship 'like oil and vinegar,' and criticized the ongoing fighting as 'stupid' due to the high casualties. Ukrainian officials on the ground remain wary of any imminent peace, noting continued Russian military buildup and preparations for escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected Western proposals for troop deployment in Ukraine and reaffirmed Russia’s preference for security arrangements discussed in previous negotiations, emphasizing opposition to what Moscow views as Western attempts to isolate it. Despite recent summits and talks involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, diplomatic progress remains elusive as all parties prepare for a potentially prolonged conflict.