US President Donald Trump is reportedly exerting more pressure on Ukraine than on Russia in his efforts to broker a peace deal, according to the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper cites sources indicating that Trump has been hesitant to push Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has shown little willingness to make concessions necessary for an agreement. American officials have observed that the White House has applied more pressure on Kiev than on Moscow.

The US has considered implementing punitive measures to encourage Moscow to negotiate a peace deal, but has so far refrained from doing so. This development comes on the heels of a phone call between Trump and Putin, during which they agreed to hold a summit in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.

In an effort to build diplomatic momentum, US officials are planning a series of lower-level meetings with their Russian counterparts, to be led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s team, rather than special envoy Kurt Volker. This change is viewed positively by Ukrainian and EU diplomats, who see it as a potential shift in the US approach to negotiations. The US is seeking to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and Trump has stated that he has told both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin that “it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL.”

Following a meeting with Zelensky at the White House, Trump tweeted that he had advised both leaders to “stop where they are” and “let both claim Victory, let History decide!” The meeting reportedly centered on potential deliveries of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which Moscow has warned against, arguing that such a move would undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement and harm Russia-US relations.

The US and Russia have been engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, with Russia praising the Trump administration for its willingness to understand the root causes of the issue. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains watchful, awaiting the outcome of the upcoming summit and the potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. With the US seeking to balance its relationships with both Ukraine and Russia, the path forward remains uncertain, and the success of diplomatic efforts hangs in the balance.