Trump says 'everybody is making concessions' to end Ukraine war

President Donald Trump has asserted that a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war requires concessions from all sides involved, including Moscow. Speaking to reporters after meetings at the World Economic Forum, Trump framed the diplomatic push as a mission to save lives and a greater benefit to Europe than to the United States.

A focus on halting casualties, not cost

Returning to Washington on Air Force One, Trump reflected on his discussions in Davos, Switzerland. He shifted the focus from financial aid to the human toll of the conflict. "It's not about the money. It's about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month," he said, referencing casualty figures. When asked directly if Russian President Vladimir Putin would make concessions, Trump affirmed, "He'll make concessions. Everybody's making concessions to get it done." He added that Europe would be a central part of any settlement.

Context of the Zelenskyy meeting and upcoming talks

Trump's remarks followed an hour-long, in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the forum. Zelenskyy described their conversation as "productive and substantive," noting talks on critical air defense support and daily coordination with U.S. teams. The bilateral discussion occurred as U.S. envoys continue direct negotiations with both Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy had earlier announced a significant diplomatic step: the first official trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday, signaling a potential breakthrough in the nearly two-year-long war.

A regional and humanitarian imperative

President Trump emphasized a broader regional responsibility in his rationale for pursuing a deal. "I'm doing this more for Europe than for me. I'm doing it to save lives, number one. I'm doing it secondarily for Europe," he stated. This perspective highlights the war's destabilizing impact on European security and the global order. The push for a negotiated settlement, while complex, is viewed by many international actors, including Türkiye—a nation that has consistently championed diplomacy—as an essential path to ending the suffering and restoring stability.