Trump hopeful Russia and Ukraine can make a deal this week

President Donald Trump expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine can reach a deal this week following the end of a temporary Easter ceasefire between the two countries. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week. Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America, which is thriving, and make a fortune.”

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over three years, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives on both sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of breaking their ceasefire agreement, stating that the Russian army had violated the ceasefire over two thousand times.

Zelenskyy revealed that there were numerous shellings and assaults by the Russian army, with the highest number of incidents occurring in the Pokrovsk region. He emphasized that Ukraine would respond to Russian strikes in defense of their own territory.

Russian President Putin ordered a temporary ceasefire along the front line until midnight, Moscow time, on Sunday. Zelenskyy had previously mentioned that he would propose extending the ceasefire if it held up, as it would demonstrate Russia’s true intentions.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick expressed skepticism about Putin’s willingness to uphold the ceasefire, citing his history of not keeping his word. He praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his understanding of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his ability to negotiate a fair agreement.

The temporary ceasefire came after Trump announced an upcoming minerals deal with Ukraine, which is set to be signed in a week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the agreement would likely be signed on April 26. The details of the deal remain largely unknown, but reports suggest that the U.S. has reduced its demand for repayment for aid to Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion.

Overall, there is cautious optimism that a lasting peace agreement can be reached between Russia and Ukraine, with the hope that both countries can move towards economic prosperity and stability. Trump’s words and actions, along with the efforts of international leaders, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region.