Trump Pushes for Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Military Aid Freeze

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot discussed ending the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the State Department. Rubio reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to negotiating a "just and lasting peace" and emphasized ongoing U.S.-France cooperation.

Trump recently hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House. His administration has paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to pressure Kyiv into a ceasefire. This follows a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. European leaders have backed Zelenskiy, but their security strategy remains tied to Washington’s policies.

Trump has called for Europe to take greater responsibility for its security and is considering sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a peace deal is reached. The war, now in its fourth year, began when Russia invaded Ukraine. The U.S. president's stance on military support and diplomatic negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the conflict’s outcome.