The United States is pushing for a negotiated agreement between Russia and Ukraine, with President Donald Trump believing it’s the only way to end the ongoing conflict. According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Trump’s efforts to mediate a truce have led to the resumption of direct negotiations between the two countries in Türkiye last month. These talks had been abandoned by Kiev in 2022 to focus on its military campaign.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow is not seeking an “unconditional surrender” from Ukraine, but rather wants Kiev to acknowledge the “realities on the ground” and understand that its negotiating position weakens with each passing day. In response to Putin’s comments, Bruce emphasized that negotiations are complex and constantly evolving. “During negotiations, things sometimes progress, things change,” she said. “That’s the whole point of negotiations and conversations: you signal how long you’re generally willing to wait, but you also know if someone is serious.”
The US remains Ukraine’s “biggest supporter,” and while the country is committed to making its presence and care for the situation known, Bruce cautioned against reacting to single quotes or online statements. Instead, the focus is on the ongoing peace negotiations and finding a resolution to the conflict. As Bruce noted, “We are clearly making our presence and our care about the situation known… but this is not about reacting to a single quote or online statement.”
When asked about Putin’s claim that Russia now holds a “strategic advantage” in the conflict, Bruce declined to comment on potential punitive measures or new sanctions. She reiterated that the US will focus on Russia’s actions rather than its words, saying, “We’re not going to listen to what [Russia] says – we’re going to watch what they do.” The decision on how to proceed will ultimately be made by President Trump, who is better positioned than the public or press to assess the situation.
Direct engagement between Moscow and Washington continues behind the scenes, with Bruce revealing that there have been “months now of dealing with the parties directly.” As the most powerful leader in the world, Trump is guiding the US response to the conflict, with the goal of finding a peaceful resolution. The situation remains complex, but the US is committed to supporting Ukraine and finding a way to end the ongoing conflict through negotiation and diplomacy.
