Trump abandons Zelensky and withdraws from deadline for peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine: ‘no deadline’

Aboard Air Force One, United States President Donald Trump stated that there is no longer a strict deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement brokered by Washington. The statement was made during a trip to the state of Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday and released by the agency Reuterswho was part of the presidential delegation.

According to ReutersTrump retreated from the demand presented days earlier, in which he suggested that Kiev accept by Thursday (27) a draft agreement supported by the United States. He also downplayed a report that mentioned alleged instructions from American envoy Steve Witkoff to Russian negotiators on how to conduct the ceasefire plan.

The president stated that representatives from the United States are “making progress” in talks with Moscow and Kiev. He also said that Russia “accepted some concessions”, without detailing what they would be. A preliminary proposal, revealed the previous week, had fueled fears that the American government was pressuring Ukraine to accept an understanding considered favorable to the Kremlin.

American envoy will travel to Moscow

Trump said his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also stated that Jared Kushner — who worked on the negotiations for the agreement in Gaza, responsible for a temporary ceasefire — is involved in mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

The president had cited the Thanksgiving holiday as the ideal date for formalizing an agreement that would end the war. Now, however, it rules out the imposition of any rigid limit. “The deadline for me is when this is over,” he declared during the flight.

Bloomberg report and Witkoff’s role

The tone change occurs after the Bloomberg disclose that Witkoff, in connection with Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor, had suggested ways to make the ceasefire viable and even ways to organize a direct conversation between Trump and the Russian president before the visit of the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to the White House.

Asked about the report, Trump said he had not heard the audio mentioned by the agency, although he did not express surprise. “You know, this is a very common form of negotiation,” he said. “I imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine.”

Assessment of the conflict and Ukrainian territory

Trump once again indicated that, in his assessment, Moscow would be in an advantageous position in the war. He said part of Ukrainian territory “could be taken by Russia anyway” in the coming months. The president said this should influence Kiev’s political calculation when deciding on a deal.

Trump also stated that security guarantees for Ukraine are being discussed with European countries, without providing details. The indication that European allies could play a role in defining these guarantees reinforces that Washington is seeking a broader arrangement, which involves actors outside the direct negotiation between Russians and Ukrainians.

Previous pressures and conversation setting

In recent days, the American government had been reiterating its intention to accelerate negotiations that could end the conflict that began in February 2022. The suggestion of a deadline until the Thanksgiving holiday was interpreted as a sign that Washington wanted a quick definition.

The retreat, however, indicates that the White House decided to avoid imposing time goals that could make conversations difficult. The position also attempts to ward off criticism that the United States is forcing Kiev to accept an unfavorable agreement.

By adopting a more flexible speech, Trump signals that the conduct of negotiations will be adapted to the pace imposed by talks between Witkoff, Moscow and Kiev. The president has repeatedly stated that he considers it possible to end the conflict in a short time, but this week’s statements reveal that the American strategy has undergone adjustment.

Next steps

With Witkoff’s trip to the Russian capital and Kushner’s engagement in the process, Washington intends to move forward on points still pending, including the format of the ceasefire and possible guarantees to Kiev. The American government stated that it will continue to pressure both sides to consider alternatives that could reduce the intensity of the conflict.

Trump reiterated that, despite the lack of a formal deadline, he expects the talks to evolve. According to him, the priority is to reach a solution that ends the fighting and establishes terms that can be implemented without generating new military escalation.