Fri Apr 11 15:59:25 UTC 2025: ## Trump Urges Russia to End Ukraine War Amidst Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

**Moscow, April 11, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump today publicly pressed Russia to end its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, shortly before his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, commenced talks with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Trump, who has been pushing for a ceasefire since his return to office in January, expressed his frustration with the lack of progress, calling the war “senseless.”

Witkoff’s meeting with Putin, the third since January, focused on various aspects of a Ukrainian settlement. While the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, downplayed expectations of breakthroughs, he didn’t rule out a future meeting between Trump and Putin. Peskov described the process of normalizing relations as ongoing.

The diplomatic activity comes amidst a backdrop of some thawing relations. Russia recently released dual U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina in a prisoner exchange for a suspected tech smuggler, the second such exchange in less than two months. Both countries expressed hope that these swaps would build confidence. Further talks are also underway to restore full embassy operations.

Despite these positive steps, the main objective of achieving a Ukraine ceasefire remains elusive. Putin previously rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional pause, while Russia has linked a Black Sea truce to Western sanctions relief. Recent talks in Saudi Arabia yielded an agreement to halt aerial strikes on energy infrastructure, though both sides have accused each other of violations.

Witkoff’s visit also precedes crucial Iran-U.S. nuclear talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman, which Witkoff will lead. Trump has previously issued strong warnings against Iran, while Russia, a close ally of Iran, advocates for a diplomatic solution. The complex web of diplomatic efforts highlights the ongoing tension and the delicate balance being pursued by the Trump administration in its dealings with both Russia and Iran.

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