Trump says Putin must stop shelling and sign peace deal

Donald Trump, photo: Getty Images

US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment over Russia's missile strike on Kyiv and said he was not sure Vladimir Putin was ready to end the war.

He told reporters about this before boarding Air Force One.

Trump noted that he would be closely monitoring events in the coming days. He emphasised that he was disappointed by the shelling and was waiting for clear steps from the Kremlin to end the fighting.

«I want Putin to stop shooting, sit down at the negotiating table and sign a deal,» Donald Trump said, adding that the basis for a peace agreement already exists.

Commenting on his brief meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican, Trump noted the Ukrainian president's desire to work for the good of his country. He also noted that Zelenskyy had become calmer and more determined to find ways to peace.

As a reminder, during a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian leader Vladimir Putin reiterated his readiness to hold talks with Ukraine without preconditions.

It is worth noting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that next week would be crucial in negotiations to achieve peace in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials also met in Paris with national security advisers from France, the UK and Germany. The parties discussed the possibilities of achieving sustainable peace, including a ceasefire, the deployment of an international military contingent and the creation of a system of security guarantees for Ukraine.