U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine, saying he is willing to help facilitate efforts to end the conflict.
Speaking after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Trump described their discussion as “very good” and reiterated his desire to see an end to the war.
“I’m gonna do whatever I can,” Trump told reporters. “Too many young men are dying on the battlefield. Look, Russia should make a deal.”
Zelenskyy and several European leaders used the summit to urge Trump to increase support for Ukraine and strengthen Kyiv’s position ahead of any future peace negotiations with Moscow. Images released by the Ukrainian presidency showed Zelenskyy in talks with Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the gathering.
According to European diplomats, Zelenskyy showed Trump photographs of the aftermath of a Russian strike on Kyiv’s Pechersk Lavra monastery, an attack that reportedly drew Trump’s disapproval. One diplomat described the move as psychologically effective in highlighting the impact of the war.
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said his primary objective was securing stronger air defence systems for Ukraine. He added that discussions also covered the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia to encourage Moscow to engage in meaningful negotiations.
European officials said the meeting was constructive, with one diplomat claiming there was growing agreement among allies that Russia’s position on the battlefield had weakened.
“We now seem to have a joint analysis that Russia is on the defensive,” the diplomat said.
However, diplomats noted that Trump stopped short of committing to new U.S. sanctions against Moscow, despite calls from European leaders for tougher measures. While he indicated that Washington could allow certain waivers on Russian oil to expire following a temporary agreement related to the Iran conflict, he did not provide details on broader sanctions.
European leaders have been seeking to convince Trump that previous U.S. proposals for ending the war were too favourable to Russia, particularly as Ukraine has recently scored successes through drone operations deep inside Russian territory.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said recent developments showed momentum shifting in Ukraine’s favour.
“The tide is turning for Ukraine. Russia’s fatigue is openly showing. That’s the time to double down on our support,” she wrote on X.
A French diplomat said G7 leaders agreed that battlefield conditions had improved for Ukraine and pledged additional air-defence assistance for Kyiv.
Meanwhile, European leaders were also expected to discuss Trump’s preliminary agreement with Iran, expressing concerns that any interim arrangement could allow Tehran to preserve elements of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the priority was ensuring any agreement reached would be comprehensive and lasting.
“We need a solid, serious agreement that is finalised,” Macron said.
