President Donald Trump is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, as hopes for a lasting ceasefire diminish. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump is pushing for a permanent halt to hostilities and has dedicated considerable effort to resolving the conflict, including a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"He wants to see a permanent ceasefire, first, to stop the killing, the bloodshed," Leavitt said at a joint press briefing with Border Czar Tom Homan. Although optimistic, she acknowledged that Trump is being realistic about the challenges of brokering a deal, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, European and Ukrainian officials are increasingly alarmed by reports that Trump may be preparing to exit Ukraine peace negotiations. According to the Financial Times, U.S. allies fear that Trump could use even minor progress to justify withdrawing from talks, potentially leaving Europe and Ukraine to manage the war alone.

One European diplomat remarked that Trump is "setting up a situation where he gives himself excuses to walk away and leave it to Ukraine and us [Europe] to fix." Despite these fears, Trump has not made any formal announcements regarding a U.S. withdrawal from the negotiation process.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in on the issue, holding a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Lavrov’s request. Rubio emphasized the urgency of ending the war and outlined the next steps toward peace following U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent visit to Moscow. Rubio previously described the current week as “critical” for U.S. engagement in peace efforts and has advocated for stronger financial measures to deter further Russian aggression.

Adding to the tension, Ukrainian President Zelensky denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer of a temporary ceasefire timed with Victory Day celebrations. "The fire must cease, not for a few days, only to kill again," Zelensky stated. He dismissed the move as a manipulative gesture and cited continued Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, including a strike in Ukraine's Cherkasy region.

As diplomatic efforts stall and civilian casualties continue to mount, Trump’s role as a mediator faces mounting pressure. While he maintains his identity as a peacemaking president, the world watches closely to see if his administration will persist in its efforts or pivot away from a war that continues to destabilize the region.