Ukraine peace deal ‘closer than ever’: Donald Trump shares key update on Russia-Ukraine war

Reporting his team's progress in Berlin, the US president stated that they are closer to a peace deal than “we have been ever”.

Updated on: Dec 16, 2025, 04:56:37 IST

By Danita Yadav

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United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that an agreement aimed to end Russia's war in Ukraine is “closer than ever”. Reporting his team's progress in Berlin, the US president stated that a deal is closer than “we have been ever”.

Trump's remarks come at a White House event after he called into a dinner in Berlin at which US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were holding talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.

Trump reiterated that this peace deal between Russia and Ukraine comes after he solved eight wars.

'One of these wars was having a bit of trouble - Thailand and Cambodia - but we have resolved it. We appreciate them working to get it straightened out," said Trump.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, the US president stated he shared a 'long call' with Zelensky and the leaders of Germany, Italy, NATO, Finland, France, the UK, Poland, Norway, Denmark and the Netherland as part of the peace negotiations.

"Things are going along pretty well. 27,000 soldiers were killed last month, should have never happened," the US president said, adding that the Ukraine war would not have started if he had been re-elected to office in 2020.

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"But it did and we're trying to get it solved. It was Biden's situation... we are trying to get it done. But we are closer now," he added.

"We are getting closer. We have tremendous support from European leaders as well. And at this moment, Russia wants to end it," Trump said adding that the problem remains that one moment "Russia wants to end it and the next they don't, and then Ukraine wants to end it, and then they don't."

"So we have to get them on the same page," the US president said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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