President Donald Trump emphasized his commitment to a self-determined schedule for brokering a peace agreement to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking during a White House visit from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Thursday, Trump expressed confidence in the prospects of a deal, following his Wednesday statement that an agreement could materialize soon.
“I have my own deadline,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “And we wanted to be fast. And the Prime Minister’s helping us.”
He added, “He wants it to be fast, too,” noting, “And I think everybody in this, at this time in NATO, they want to see this thing happen.” Trump reiterated his optimism, saying, “I think it has a very good chance of getting done.”
The White House did not immediately provide further details on Trump’s timeline when contacted by Fox News Digital.
Focus on Saving Lives Amid Rising Tensions
Trump underscored that his primary goal is to save lives, distancing himself from taking sides in the conflict. “I have no allegiance to anybody,” he told reporters on Thursday. “I have allegiance to saving lives.”
His remarks come after recent criticism of both Russia and Ukraine, particularly following Russian strikes on Kyiv that killed at least 10 people and injured 90, including children, according to Ukrainian reports.
Expressing frustration, Trump posted on social media Thursday, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
He also hinted at potential consequences for Russia, stating in the Oval Office, “I’d rather answer that question in a week. I want to see if we can have a deal. No reason to answer it now, but I won’t be happy. Let me put it that way. Things, things will happen.”
Despite the escalation, Trump maintained that both nations are inclined toward peace, telling reporters, “we are thinking very strongly that they both want peace, but they have to get to the table.”
Diplomatic Push Faces Challenges
The Trump administration has actively pursued diplomacy, with Vice President JD Vance revealing Wednesday that a concrete proposal has been presented to both Russia and Ukraine.
The plan involves territorial concessions from both sides, with borders remaining “close to where they are today.”
However, Vance warned, “We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process.” He emphasized the extensive diplomatic efforts, noting, “We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work.”
Trump also addressed hurdles in negotiations, pointing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s resistance to concessions over Crimea in a Wednesday Truth Social post, suggesting it could delay progress.
Still, Trump remains hopeful, having expressed Sunday that a deal could enable Russia and Ukraine to engage in “big business” with the U.S.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Trump has consistently pledged to end the conflict, a promise central to his campaign. As diplomatic efforts intensify, the administration continues to signal that a resolution may be near, though challenges persist.
