Trump told reporters that the conflict in Ukraine doesn’t involve ‘our people’

President Donald Trump made headlines recently when he appeared to distance the U.S. from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, just days after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The phone call between Trump and Putin took place on Monday, followed by a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Trump stated that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine did not involve the U.S., despite the country’s previous role as a mediator in the region since Trump took office in January. Trump emphasized that the conflict was between Ukraine and Russia, not involving American soldiers or interests.

Trump also mentioned speaking with Zelenskyy while the Ukrainian president was in South Africa, where he was discussing peace negotiations. Trump expressed his surprise at Zelenskyy’s location and praised his efforts to secure peace in the region.

Following his call with Putin, Trump stated that progress had been made towards a ceasefire and advancing peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. However, he stressed that future negotiations should be led by both parties, as they are more familiar with the details of the conflict.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump was growing frustrated with the lack of progress in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Vice President JD Vance also indicated that the U.S. was willing to step aside from the negotiations if an impasse was reached, citing fundamental mistrust between Russia and the West as a significant obstacle to progress.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that sanctions against Russia could increase if the country failed to cooperate in the peace negotiations. Bessent emphasized that Trump was committed to using sanctions as leverage to ensure that Russia negotiated in good faith.

Overall, Trump’s recent statements regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine reflect a shift in the U.S.’s approach to the situation, signaling a willingness to step back from the peace talks if necessary. The administration’s focus on encouraging both parties to take the lead in negotiations highlights a desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.