**Trump Says Putin is “Destroying Russia” by Not Making a Deal on Ukraine**
U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken out against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s handling of the conflict in Ukraine. Trump said that Putin should make a deal to end the war, and that his failure to do so was hurting Russia.
In a speech at the White House, Trump said: “He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal.” This is not the first time Trump has spoken out against Putin’s handling of Ukraine. He has previously said that he wants to bring a swift end to the conflict.
**Ukraine and Allies Call for Peace**
The Ukrainian government and its allies are also calling for peace in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky told Trump that he wants an agreement to end the war, but it is unclear if Putin shares this goal.
Ukrainian forces continue to face challenges on the battlefield, with Russian forces advancing in some areas and Ukrainian troops struggling with manpower shortages. The conflict has been ongoing for almost three years, with estimated losses of 700,000-800,000 soldiers killed or wounded.
**International Pressure for a Peace Deal**
Other countries are also calling for a peace deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that aid to Ukraine should not be politicized during Germany’s election campaign. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, while French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine needs to negotiate from a position of strength.
**Sanctions Continue to Hurt Russia**
Russia is also facing economic headwinds due to sanctions imposed by the EU. Gas deliveries from Russia to Europe are continuing despite efforts to halt them, and Brussels is determined to stop this. China has emerged as Russia’s largest supplier of goods, but Chinese imports have failed to fully replace Western equipment and raw materials lost due to sanctions.
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