US President Donald Trump called for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to pave the way for talks on a lasting peace agreement, and threatened to impose further sanctions if a truce is violated.
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“Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations,” Trump said in a social media post.
“If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions.”
Trump’s comments underscored how he remains focused on halting the fighting immediately and contradicted his vice-president, J.D. Vance, who said on Wednesday that the US has tried to “move beyond the obsession with a 30-day ceasefire and more on the what would the long-term settlement look like”.
Trump also appeared to contradict Vance and other members of the administration who have repeatedly threatened to walk away from the discussions unless an agreement is reached soon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to enter direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and has continued to insist on maximalist demands as a condition to stop fighting, including taking control of four regions in Ukraine it does not fully occupy.