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Tag: Donald Trump
April 29, 2025
Jack Montgomery
War

EXC: Trump ‘Increasingly Frustrated’ at Lack of Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal.

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❓What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that the U.S. will not dedicate much more time to brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine.

👥 Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian government, and The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton.

📍Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “There’s not much more time or effort the United States has to give to this effort, and so we need both sides to come to the table to negotiate.”

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. may shift more of its focus to domestic priorities like economic renewal and mass deportations, potentially withdrawing from Russia-Ukraine peace talks if the two sides remain intransigent.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has warned that the U.S. government will not spend much more energy on mediating peace terms between Russia and Ukraine, reiterating an administration message previously relayed through Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Responding to a question from Will Upton, political editor at The National Pulse, on where the administration may stand if no progress has been made by summer, Leavitt said, “I don’t want to get ahead of the President, obviously, but, again, I will reiterate he’s increasingly growing frustrated.”

Leavitt highlighted concerns over “the amount of time” the administration is spending on Ukraine, implicitly at the cost of other priorities such as federal government reforms, economic renewal, and mass deportations. “Our Secretary of State [Marco Rubio] recently said, you know, there’s not much more time or effort the United States has to give to this effort, and so we need both sides to come to the table to negotiate,” she stressed.

President Trump has personally criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for making “inflammatory statements” not conducive to a compromise peace. However, he also had stern words for the Russian government, saying he was “very disappointed” by its orchestration of heavy missile strikes at a time when it was supposed to be embarking on a path of de-escalation.

With suspicions growing that neither side wants to make a peace deal, the administration may be preparing to wash its hands of the matter to focus more fully on its domestic agenda.

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April 29, 2025
Jack Montgomery
War
World

Leavitt: Ukraine ‘Needs to Sign’ Rare Earth Minerals Deal.

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What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump’s confidence in securing a rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine, stressing its importance for both nations despite past tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton.

Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “Ukraine needs to sign it, they should sign it,” emphasizing the deal’s benefits for both the U.S. and Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

Impact: The anticipated deal could strengthen U.S. access to critical minerals while aiding Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts, though past diplomatic friction with Zelensky highlights challenges in finalizing the agreement.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald J. Trump is “confident” that a deal on rare earth minerals with Ukraine will be signed, adding that the Ukrainian government “needs” to sign the agreement and that it will benefit the Ukrainian people.

Responding to a question from Will Upton, The National Pulse’s political editor, on the progress of a deal between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government on U.S. access to rare earth minerals in the Eastern European country, Leavitt said, “The President is confident that it will be signed.”

“Ukraine needs to sign it, they should sign it,” she continued, explaining the agreement is “not just good for the United States, to recoup the billions of tax dollars we’ve spent and onshore some of those critical minerals, but certainly it’s good for the Ukrainian people when this war is over to rebuild their country.”

“It’s an economic partnership between the United States and Ukraine; that’s what the President envisions, and he wants Ukraine to sign that deal, and he’s confident that they will,” she added.

Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky caused friction with the Trump administration by telling Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio he was receptive to a rare earth minerals deal in private, only to brief the media that it was an unacceptable shakedown in public.

After being called out for his behavior, Zelensky visited the White House prepared to sign documents related to a rare earth mineral deal, but this was postponed after he started an argument with Vice President Vance in the Oval Office over the need for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war, leading to a tense exchange with President Trump.

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April 29, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
World

White House Tells The National Pulse: ‘Greenland Needs the United States of America.’

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What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to the U.S., warning against growing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence after Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed interest in deeper ties with Beijing.

Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, Vivian Motzfeldt, The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton, President Donald J. Trump, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “Greenland needs the United States of America; we subsidize their national security and their defense,” highlighting the strategic risks of Chinese or Russian influence in the region.

Impact: Leavitt’s remarks signal a firm U.S. stance against CCP expansion in Greenland, reinforcing Trump’s focus on securing strategic territories to protect national and global security interests.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Greenland’s importance to U.S. strategic interests at a press briefing on Tuesday, warning the U.S. cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to gain influence over the Danish territory after the Greenlandic foreign minister suggested her government was looking to increase its collaboration with Beijing.

Quizzed by Will Upton, The National Pulse’s political editor, on the Greenlandic Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, saying that “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation,” Leavitt said it was “certainly an interesting strategy to cozy up to Communist China.”

“Greenland needs the United States of America; we subsidize their national security and their defense,” Leavitt continued, noting that President Donald J. Trump has “rightfuly pointed out the great strategic importance that Greenland serves for not just our national security and economic interests, but for our country and for the world as a whole.”

She added: “We can’t allow Chinese or Russian influence to continue to infiltrate places like Greenland—or the Panama Canal, I may add.”

Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief at The National Pulse, recently accompanied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a visit to Panama, where initiatives to deter Chinese encroachments at the canal were announced.

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April 29, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy

Tariffs Win as Walmart Announces Major Investment in American Products and Small Businesses.

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❓What Happened: Walmart has announced new programs, including “Grow with US” and the 2025 Open Call, to expand support for American-made products and American small businesses, as President Donald J. Trump pursues a policy of supporting American producers through tariffs on foreign goods.

👥 Who’s Involved: Walmart U.S., led by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey, alongside U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs.

📍 Where & When: Announced on April 29, 2025, with Open Call events starting May 1 in Orlando, Florida, and the main event on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

💬 Key Quote: John Furner stated, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.”

⚠️ Impact: Walmart’s initiatives showcase the success of Trump’s tariffs in encouraging domestic production, fostering job growth and economic resilience.

IN FULL:

Walmart is supporting American-made products with the launch of new programs aimed at supporting American small businesses, underscoring the success of President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies. On April 29, 2025, the retail giant shared its plans to expand initiatives like the “Grow with US” program and the 2025 Open Call, designed to help American entrepreneurs thrive. This strategic shift highlights how Trump’s tariffs are driving companies to prioritize domestic production, protecting both businesses and consumers from global trade disruptions.

The “Grow with US” program offers a four-step framework to provide U.S. small businesses with training, mentorship, and resources to grow alongside Walmart. John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, emphasized the benefits, stating, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.” Furner also noted that over 60 percent of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers last year were small businesses, with the company anticipating thousands more will utilize its free resources in the coming years.

CFO John David Rainey recently revealed that more than two-thirds of products in Walmart U.S. stores are already domestically sourced, adding, “The third that we import comes from all over the world, but China and Mexico are the most significant.” Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent duty on imports and much higher rates on Chinese goods, are likely to incentivize a further shift in favor of American products, bolstering economic independence.

The 2025 Open Call, with applications opening June 24, will allow U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses to pitch shelf-ready products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The main event, set for October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, follows several Road to Open Call events during Small Business Month in May, starting with Orlando on May 1, followed by Kansas City on May 9, Baltimore on May 13, and Austin on May 21, with additional events in Columbus on June 18 and Atlanta on June 24. Furner highlighted that participants at these pop-up events could “potentially score a fast pass to our main event in Bentonville,” offering a direct path to getting products on Walmart’s shelves.

Tech companies including Nvidia and IBM have already announced major investments in the U.S. since President Trump implemented his tariff policy, suggesting that, despite market grumblings, his overall strategy is working.

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April 29, 2025
Economy
World

Amazon Caves on Tariff Pricing Policy After Trump Accuses E-Commerce Giant of ‘Hostile’ Tactics.

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❓What Happened: Amazon reportedly planned to add the estimated cost of tariffs to its product prices. The Chinese online retailer Temu has made a similar move, though the foreign e-commerce company admits in fine print that the additional ‘tariff’ costs do not directly correlate to the U.S. import duties on Chinese goods. However, Amazon now claims that the tariff estimates were being considered only by Amazon Haul and were “never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Jeff Bezos, Amazon, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” said Karoline Leavitt after the plan to add tariff estimates to pricing was initially reported. Amazon responded later Tuesday morning, claiming: “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision could have affected Amazon’s political relations, though the abrupt announcement by the e-commerce giant that they would not pursue the pricing change may cool tensions with the White House.

IN FULL:

Tensions between the White House and Amazon briefly intensified after President Donald J. Trump criticized the retailer’s reported plans to display estimated tariff costs on its product listings. The scheme prompted a sharp reaction from the Trump administration, leading to accusations of political motivations and foreign interference.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue in a statement on Tuesday, April 29. According to Leavitt, President Trump viewed Amazon’s move as “hostile and political,” labeling it an attack on American interests. The conflict arose after anonymous sources leaked to the corporate media Amazon’s intention to highlight the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from countries like China.

Leavitt did not hold back in her criticism of the online retail giant, questioning Amazon’s timing. “Why didn’t Amazon take similar actions during the Biden administration when inflation rates soared to record levels?” she queried, suggesting that Amazon’s motives might have partisan underpinnings.

Further, Leavitt raised concerns over Amazon’s international affiliations, hinting that the company’s collaborations could potentially serve as channels for foreign narratives. She referenced reports by Reuters indicating Amazon’s partnerships with entities linked to Chinese propaganda efforts. Notably, the Chinese online retailer Temu has made a similar move, though the foreign e-commerce company admits in fine print that the additional ‘tariff’ costs do not directly correlate to the U.S. import duties on Chinese goods.

Following the firm White House response, Amazon clarified its pricing policy, stating: “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

Despite the White House’s strong response and past friction between Trump and Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, the technology billionaire has recently been more communicative and open to accommodating the White House, possibly explaining the apparent backtrack.

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April 28, 2025
Economy

IBM Commits $150 Billion to U.S. Tech Expansion.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: IBM announced plans for new investments in the United States, following similar announcements from other tech companies amid pressure from the Trump administration to boost U.S. manufacturing.

👥 Who’s Involved: IBM, Nvidia, Foxconn, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Apple, OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made in the United States on Monday, April 28, with investments planned over the next five years.

💬 Key Quote: Arvind Krishna, IBM’s chief executive, stated, “With this investment and manufacturing commitment, we are ensuring that IBM remains the epicenter of the world’s most advanced computing and AI capabilities.”

⚠️ Impact: The announcements suggest significant potential investment in U.S. manufacturing with a focus on strengthening domestic supply chains and technology production.

IN FULL:

IBM has announced a substantial investment initiative in the United States, joining a wave of tech corporations revealing similar plans amidst pressure from the Trump administration to relocate or expand manufacturing operations within the country. The New York-headquartered software giant aims to invest $150 billion domestically in the coming five years, including $30 billion explicitly allocated for its mainframe and quantum computers. This announcement aligns with efforts by various firms to bolster the national economy and build stronger domestic supply chains insulated from retaliatory actions by China‘s communist regime, at President Donald J. Trump’s urging.

The unveiling of IBM’s investment plan follows a pledge made by chipmaker Nvidia, which declared a $500 billion investment and committed to producing its artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputers in the United States. “With this investment and manufacturing commitment, we are ensuring that IBM remains the epicenter of the world’s most advanced computing and AI capabilities,” the company’s CEO, Arvind Krishna, said in a statement.

Following President Donald J. Trump‘s inauguration in January, a number of both foreign and domestic technology companies have announced significant investments and expansions in the United States. Key announcements include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) $100 billion U.S.-based expansion plan for semiconductor production, alongside Apple’s intention to invest $500 billion and create 20,000 jobs in the U.S., with a new factory in Texas focused on AI advancements.

Earlier this year, a joint initiative involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, set to create a $100 billion computing infrastructure to support AI, was announced. The current administration’s trade policies have imposed tariffs on numerous Chinese goods, but notably spared electronics such as smartphones and computers, at least temporarily.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 28, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Dem Governor Urges Mass, Extreme Protests Against Trump and GOP.

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❓What Happened: Far-left Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) is calling for mass demonstrations and mobilization with the intention to “punish” Republicans. The extreme language is being seen by some as a return to the violent political rhetoric that resulted in two assassination attempts on President Donald J. Trump last year.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

📍 Where & When: Sunday, April 27, in New Hampshire.

💬 Key Quote: “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” said Gov. Pritzker.

⚠️ Impact: Last year, extreme rhetoric deployed by former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Democratic Party alienated voters and resulted in two attempts on Donald Trump’s life. Pritzker, himself potentially weighing a 2028 presidential run, is seen by some as having returned to that violent and dangerous rhetoric.

IN FULL:

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run, looking to monopolize the progressive left-wing lane in the Democratic primary contest. On Sunday, during an event in New Hampshire, Pritzker—a billionaire member of the Pritzker family, which owns the Hyatt hotel chain—pushed for his fellow Democrats to ramp up aggressive demonstrations and protests against President Donald J. Trump.

“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now,” the billionaire Democrat said, adding: “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”

Pritzker continued: “They have to understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have.”

During the 2024 presidential campaign, the Democratic Party, including then-President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, received intense criticism from voters and the Republican Party for their over-the-top and extreme political rhetoric. The Democrats attempted to portray President Trump and his supports as fascists, Nazis, and racists. They routinely warned that Trump would declare himself a dictator and that the MAGA movement wished to end democracy.

The violent political rhetoric espoused by Democrats culminated in two assassination attempts against President Trump, with a supporter of the America First leader being killed at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The Illinois governor emphasized on Sunday that he wished to see Republicans “punished” while couching the rhetoric by adding “at the ballot box.”

Pritzker has staked out a position on his party’s left flank, calling Democratic lawmakers and activists who blamed the Biden government’s pro-transgender and open-borders policies for Trump’s reelection as “do-nothing Democrats.”

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

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April 28, 2025
News
Politics

Dem Rep. Gerry Connolly to Retire Following Cancer Return.

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❓What Happened: Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) announced that his cancer has returned, leading him to decide against seeking reelection. In addition, Connolly announced on Monday that he would be stepping down as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, who was the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

📍 Where & When: Connolly’s announcement came via social media on Monday, April 28.

💬 Key Quote: Connolly stated, “After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.”

⚠️ Impact: Connolly will step away from his position as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee and will not run for office again, ending his 15-year congressional tenure.

IN FULL:

Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) announced he will be stepping down as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee and will not seek re-election. The Virginia Democrat who has served for 15 years in Congress revealed in a social media post on Monday that his esophageal cancer has returned.

“After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned,” Connolly wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The Democratic Congressman continued: “I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.”

“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” Connolly said, adding: “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”

Connolly had initially revealed his battle with esophageal cancer in November 2024, undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The Virginia Democrat’s national political journey began with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, serving the 11th district of Virginia for nine terms. Before his federal career, Connolly spent 14 years on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors.

Rep. Connolly is a noted foe of President Donald J. Trump and one of the more vocally partisan Democrats in the House of Representatives. During former President Joe Biden’s lawfare campaign against Trump, the Virginia Congressman pushed a proposal to rename a federal prison after Trump—a subtle reference to Democratic Party efforts to see the America First leader imprisoned.

In December 2024, Connolly defeated the far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the ranking member seat on the House Oversight Committee. Now that he is stepping aside, the self-described New York “democratic socialist” may once again pursue the coveted committee seat.

Image by April Brady/Project on Middle East Democracy.

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April 28, 2025
William Upton
Crime
Immigration

Trump Forces Media to Cover Deportation of Dangerous Illegals.

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❓What Happened: Images depicting the most serious criminal illegal immigrants arrested since the beginning of President Donald J. Trump’s second term are being displayed on the White House lawn.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump Administration organized the display, focusing on individuals arrested for serious criminal activities.

📍 Where & When: The event took place this morning, Monday, April 28, on the lawn of the White House.

💬 Key Quote: “Between President Trump’s inauguration and April 1 of this month, only nine illegal aliens were released into the United States. A staggering 99.99 percent decrease from the more than 184,000 illegal aliens who were released into the country under Biden during the same period last year,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced.

⚠️ Impact: This event is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to showcase its commitment to tightening immigration controls and removing dangerous individuals from the U.S.

IN FULL:

The Trump White House has lined the driveway on the north lawn where the corporate media hold live reports with images of the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants who have been apprehended during President Donald J. Trump‘s first 100 days in office. Prominently displayed, the photos posted on yard signs with the name and criminal charges for each illegal immigrant will be difficult for reporters to frame out of their live shots from the White House lawn.

Numbering 100 in total, the yard signs include an illegal Jamaican national arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore, who was convicted of first-degree murder. Another yard sign features an illegal immigrant from Burkina Faso who was arrested last week by ICE in Buffalo with a previous conviction for rape. A number of the criminals have prior convictions for violent sex crimes against minors, aggravated assault and battery, and crimes relating to their gang membership.


Early Monday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, addressed the media regarding the display on the White House lawn and the administration’s success in removing dangerous illegal immigrants and securing the border since January.

“Between President Trump’s inauguration and April 1 of this month, only nine illegal aliens were released into the United States. A staggering 99.99 percent decrease from the more than 184,000 illegal aliens who were released into the country under Biden during the same period last year,” Leavitt announced. She added: “Total attempted illegal crossings at the southwest border hit a record low in February, only to fall to another new record low again last month in March.”

Meanwhile, Homan took the corporate media to task over falsely alleging that the Trump administration deported a two-year-old American citizen. “What we did is remove children with their mothers who requested it—that’s a parental decision. Parenting 101,” Homan said, arguing: “I’ll tell you what, if we didn’t do it, the story today would be, ‘Trump administration’s separating families again!'”

“We’re keeping families together. When a parent says, I want my two-year-old to go with me, we made that happen. They weren’t deported; the parents made the decision,” Homan added.

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April 28, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News
War

Trump Hints Zelensky Willing to Cede Crimea for Peace Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump says there has been a shift in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approach to peace negotiations, noting he is “calmer” and now agrees that concessions to Russia on Crimea may be part of the peace process.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

📍 Where & When: President Trump and President Zelensky met in Vatican City and Rome over the weekend, with Trump commenting after returning to the U.S. on Sunday evening.

💬 Key Quote: Trump remarked, “I see him as calmer, I think he understands the picture, and I think he wants to make a deal.”

⚠️ Impact: The discussion suggests a potential shift in Ukraine’s stance on Crimea, indicating possible concessions in the ongoing conflict with Russia to secure peace.

IN FULL:

Following a recent meeting in Rome, President Donald J. Trump has commented on changes in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance in peace negotiations. The discussions, which took place around Trump’s visit to honor the deceased Pope Francis, suggest Zelensky’s attitude toward a possible peace agreement with Russia may be evolving.

“We had a good meeting, it was a nice meeting,” Trump said of the encounter, praising the Ukrainian—with whom he has occasionally had fractious relations—as a leader who “wants to do something good for his country; he thinks he’s doing a good job and he’s working hard.”

“I see him as calmer, I think he understands the picture, and I think he wants to make a deal,” the America First leader said.

President Trump also expressed sympathy for the Ukrainian leader’s situation, which he described as “very tough,” adding, “He’s fighting a much bigger force, much bigger.”

Zelensky had previously maintained a firm stance on regaining Crimea, a majority-Russian territory which was annexed to Russia proper under the Barack Obama presidency well over a decade ago, when Zelensky was still working as a comic actor. President Trump and the First Son, Donald Trump Jr., previously said that this stance indicated Zelensky was not serious about making peace, with Crimea’s status being a bare minimum concession.

Zelensky’s position is slightly complicated by articles of the Ukrainian constitution stating that the country’s borders are “indivisible and inviolable” and cannot be altered except by a national referendum—with an “eternal clause” in the constitution stating that it cannot be amended to remove these articles.

President Trump also issued a veiled warning to the Russian government, noting that he was “very disappointed” by a series of intense missile strikes in recent weeks, as a ceasefire is supposed to be getting negotiated.

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