Trump urges Ukraine to act quickly before Russia sets stricter conditions for peace
19 December 00:23
US President Donald Trump, speaking to journalists in Washington, DC, made a statement that directly relates to the prospects for peace talks on Russia’s war against Ukraine. The American leader emphasized: Kyiv should act as quickly as possible, because delaying the negotiation process could lead to a deterioration in the terms of a future peace agreement, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to Donald Trump, each new advance of Russian troops at the front changes the Kremlin’s negotiating position. The more territories the Russian army captures, the tougher the demands Moscow starts to put forward in the negotiations.
Trump has explicitly stated that delay could play against Ukraine, as Russia uses military successes as an argument to revise the terms of peace in its favor.
Trump:
– Clash Report (@clashreport) December 18, 2025
I hope Ukraine moves quickly because Russia is there.
Everytime they take too much land, Russia changes their mind. pic.twitter.com/gajbCm1IJh
Negotiations in Florida
The US president’s statement came on the eve of a new round of consultations between US and Ukrainian officials to be held in Florida this weekend. The meeting is expected to be attended by:
- uS Special Envoy Steve Witkoff;
- advisor Jared Kushner;
- representatives of the Ukrainian delegation.
According to the American media, this team is working on the details of an updated peace plan to end the war.
“We are very close to the result”
Donald Trump has previously stated that the parties are “very close to a result” in ending the war. He attributed a special role in this process to Steve Witkoff, whom he publicly called “a great and terrific negotiator.”
At the same time, such statements cause concern in Ukraine and among European allies, as it is not always clear what compromises may be laid in the basis of a potential agreement.
Pressure over territories: what is known
Earlier, a number of Western media outlets reported that during consultations in Berlin, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner allegedly insisted that Kyiv consider the possibility of transferring to Russia part of the Donbas territories currently under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
These demands have not been officially confirmed, but the mere appearance of such reports indicates the complexity and sensitivity of the negotiation process.
What does Trump’s statement mean for Ukraine?
The US president’s words may signal a change in the tone of US diplomacy. The emphasis is not only on supporting Ukraine, but also on a pragmatic approach to ending the war while the fighting continues.
At the same time, Kyiv’s final position on any territorial concessions remains unchanged: Ukraine does not recognize the occupation of its lands and insists on restoring its territorial integrity.
