US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to “get moving” on reaching a deal with Ukraine amid ongoing tensions over the conflict in Eastern Europe. In a meeting with Russian officials, Trump warned that countries buying Russian oil could face US sanctions if Moscow is deemed to be dragging its feet.
Trump expressed optimism about talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, saying they might be “going OK”. However, he also emphasized that there is a point at which one side must make a decision and move forward. The comments came after Trump showed frustration with Russia earlier this week.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump for his understanding of the Ukraine conflict, stating that it was a crucial factor in resolving the problem. Lavrov attributed the stalled US-Russia dialogue to disagreements over conditions for a ceasefire.
Despite the lack of progress, both sides have agreed on a temporary pause in strikes on each other’s energy facilities. However, accusations of violence against each other’s infrastructure continue to mount. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-lavrov-praises-trumps-understanding-ukraine-conflict-2025-04-12