President Donald Trump on Friday urged Russia to take swift action toward ending the war in Ukraine, stating “too many people [are] DYING” in what he called a “terrible and senseless war.” His statement came as Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in an effort to broker a ceasefire.
Trump made the statement on Truth Social, emphasizing the ongoing human cost of the war. He reiterated his long-standing claim that the war would never have occurred had he remained president.
“Russia has to get moving,” Trump wrote. “Thousands a week [are dying], in a terrible and senseless war — A war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were President!!!”
Shortly afterward, Russian state media confirmed that Witkoff had arrived in St. Petersburg for a meeting with Putin — the third such meeting between the two. The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed Witkoff’s visit and stated that he was engaging in direct communications with Kremlin officials and Putin himself.
Leavitt described the ongoing talks as part of a broader effort to achieve a ceasefire and eventual peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. She indicated the Trump administration believes it holds significant leverage in the negotiations and intends to use that advantage to bring the war to a close.
“The president has been quite clear — he’s frustrated with both sides,” Leavitt said. “He wants to see this fighting end.”
Leavitt emphasized that while specifics of the negotiations remain confidential, the administration remains committed to ending the war and believes that U.S. pressure, including economic and diplomatic tools, can push both sides toward resolution.
The meeting follows recent warnings by Trump of new secondary tariffs on Russian oil products, a move designed to limit Moscow’s ability to finance its military operations. Trump’s administration has also signaled a readiness to apply economic pressure on countries or corporations that facilitate Russian energy exports.
The call for a ceasefire comes amid renewed international concern about escalating civilian casualties and regional instability caused by the prolonged conflict. Trump’s envoy engaging directly with Putin signals a high-level effort to shift the war’s trajectory through negotiation rather than military escalation.
