President Trump’s patience is being tested as Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a series of airstrikes on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, resulting in 12 fatalities and almost 100 injuries this week. The strikes occurred a day before Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s fourth scheduled trip to Moscow.

Trump told reporters on Friday that he considers it “possible” and even “very probable” that his administration will be able to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

“I believe that ultimately, we will secure numerous beneficial agreements, including those related to tariffs and trade, which will enrich our nation,” Trump stated before leaving for Rome. “Our goal is to end the war, thereby saving 5,000 lives each week. That is my objective.”

Trump reiterated that he has no specific deadline for a deal, but that one should be finalized “as fast as possible.”

His remarks came a week after the U.S. issued warnings of potential consequences if Russia and Ukraine did not reach an agreement promptly, and a day after Trump directly appealed to Putin on social media to cease bombing Ukraine.

“I am not pleased with Russia’s strikes on Kyiv. They are unnecessary and poorly timed. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers are dying weekly. Let’s finalize the peace agreement,” he posted.

Trump also acknowledged that his campaign promises of ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of assuming office were exaggerated and not based on realistic expectations.

“I presented that as an exaggeration,” he clarified to reporters, again attributing the war’s outbreak to his predecessor, President Biden.

However, it seems Trump’s warnings to Putin have been ignored, similar to how Biden’s warnings were received. Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden for contributing to the war, although he has not specified how.

Former Moscow CIA Station Chief Dan Hoffman stated that he and other security experts had consistently cautioned that Ukraine, under the Biden administration, was inadequately equipped to confront Russia effectively.

“Having failed to prevent Putin’s invasion, the Biden administration simply sustained Ukraine in the conflict but did not enable Ukraine to retaliate swiftly or forcefully enough,” he asserted.

“There are three possible strategies,” Hoffman outlined, detailing how the U.S. could leverage its position with Moscow. “First, to entice Russia, which Trump is attempting through trade agreements and the removal of sanctions. However, Putin has essentially dismissed this by rejecting confidence-building ceasefire agreements.”

“The second strategy involves inflicting enough pain on Putin on the battlefield to compel him to halt the invasion,” he continued. “We convince Putin that we will rearm Ukraine by stating, ‘We offered you a favorable deal. If you decline it, we will arm the Ukrainians.'”

“The third strategy is to withdraw support entirely and allow Europe to manage the situation and support Ukraine independently. This approach risks Russia seizing more Ukrainian territory, representing a triumph for Russia and its allies, including China, North Korea, and Iran.”

“Allow them to proceed, and you will suffer the consequences globally,” Hoffman cautioned, referencing China’s threats against Taiwan. “Americans do not favor engaging in wars. However, we also do not accept losing them.”

An official familiar with the discussions informed Digital on Friday that “Ambassador Witkoff is currently in Russia to meet with President Putin as part of President Trump’s ongoing efforts.”

“It is long overdue for the cessation of death and destruction, a departure from past ineffective strategies, and an end to this devastating conflict,” the official added, without elaborating on the “substance of negotiations.”

A report this week suggested that the White House had proposed a “final offer” to Ukraine and Russia, requesting that Kyiv recognize Russia’s control over nearly all of the Luhansk region and the occupied territories within the Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Additionally, the report indicated that the U.S. would acknowledge Crimea, which Putin unlawfully annexed from Ukraine in 2014, as now legally part of Russia, and that Washington would lift sanctions.

Neither the White House nor the National Security Council responded to Digital’s repeated inquiries regarding potential consequences for Putin should he decline to reach an agreement with Ukraine.

The administration also did not clarify why it believes Putin would want to enter into an agreement with the U.S., given that security officials have consistently expressed contrary views.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already stated that he will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia, but rather as Ukrainian territory illegally occupied by Russia.

Zelenskyy also shared a 2018 “Crimea declaration” by Mike Pompeo, Trump’s first-term Secretary of State, on Thursday. The declaration stated, “No country can alter another’s borders by force,” seemingly to highlight Trump’s shift in stance, which now seems to favor Russia.

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