Trump ‘extremely frustrated’ with both Kyiv, Moscow over war

Karoline Leavitt. (The Associated Press)

U.S. President Donald Trump is “extremely frustrated” with both Kyiv and Moscow, his spokeswoman said Thursday, as negotiations on ending Russia’s nearly four-year war against its neighbour have faltered.

“The president is extremely frustrated with both sides of this war,” Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “He doesn’t want any more talk. He wants action. He wants this war to come to an end.”

Leavitt added: “His special envoy, (Steve) Witkoff, and his team continue to talk with both sides, literally as we speak.”

Earlier in the week, Trump expressed impatience with Ukraine and its European allies France, Britain and Germany, saying “strong words” were exchanged in a phone call with the leaders.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said further talks were planned this weekend and that an international meeting on Ukraine could take place early next week, but that American participation was not guaranteed.

“If there is a real chance of signing a peace agreement, if we feel like those meetings are worthy of someone on the United States’ time this weekend, then we will send a representative,” Leavitt said.

“It’s still up in the air whether we believe real peace can be accomplished and we can truly move the ball forward.”

Kyiv, for its part, announced on Wednesday that it had submitted to the United States its amended version of the U.S. plan aimed at ending the war.