Trump confirms deadline for Putin as talks on Ukraine intensify

US President Donald Trump has declared that he has imposed a ceasefire deadline on Russian President Vladimir Putin in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“I’ve set a deadline for [President of Russia Vladimir] Putin,” Trump stated, speaking during an interaction with the press, Caliber.Az reports.

However, he did not provide any specific date or timeframe.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to push for a negotiated end to the conflict. While Trump did not elaborate on the terms or timeline of his proposed deadline, the statement adds to a series of recent remarks in which he has expressed confidence in his ability to bring about a resolution.

Trump also recalled a February meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing it as tense and marked by repeated demands from the Ukrainian leader. “We had a tough meeting with that guy,” Trump said. “He just kept asking for more and more.”

The US President had previously spoken of a “psychological deadline” by which both Russia and Ukraine would need to reach a ceasefire agreement. While still withholding a firm date, Trump asserted that Putin “wants to make a deal,” whereas Zelenskyy remains hesitant, which Trump attributed to a dispute over a mineral resources agreement. Despite acknowledging the deep hostility between the two leaders, Trump emphasized the importance of overcoming their differences. “They have to put aside their hatred for the sake of peace,” he said.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine also weighed in recently, saying that the United States supports ending the conflict “on fair terms,” signaling bipartisan interest in a diplomatic resolution.

Multiple reports have indicated that Washington is aiming to broker a deal by April 20, when both Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate Easter, or by April 30, which will mark 100 days since Trump was inaugurated.

Trump has repeatedly asserted that he could end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” if given the opportunity. He has often highlighted his past rapport with Putin and claimed that during his previous term, he had warned Moscow of serious consequences should it move against Ukraine.

As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump and Putin held their first phone call in years on February 12. During the conversation, the Russian president invited Trump to visit Moscow. Just days later, on February 18, Russian and American delegations held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions reportedly resulted in an agreement to begin preparing a direct meeting between the two presidents.

Additionally, Putin has met twice with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs. Ahead of their most recent meeting on April 11, Trump publicly called on Russia to take meaningful steps toward resolving the conflict. These meetings underscore the White House’s intensified efforts to bring the war to a negotiated close.

By Tamilla Hasanova