Trump sidesteps sanctions, urges Vatican peace talks for Ukraine

• Donald Trump chose not to impose sanctions on Russia, believing there is a chance for an agreement. The President of the United States thinks that Vladimir Putin wants to end the war.
• Trump emphasizes that the conflict in Ukraine is a "European situation" and the United States should not have been involved in it.
• The President suggests that peace talks could take place in the Vatican, which is also supported by Pope Leo XIV.

During a press conference at the White House, Donald Trump explained that he did not impose sanctions on Russia, as he believes in the possibility of reaching an agreement.

He mentioned that before speaking with Putin, he was ready to announce his withdrawal from efforts to end the war, but concluded that the Russian leader wants peace.

"And if I thought that President Putin did not want to get this over with, I wouldn't even be talking about it because I’d just pull out," said Trump.

When asked about his earlier appeals to Vladimir Putin to stop bombing Ukraine—which Putin did not heed—the President stated only that Putin is still at war.

Trump repeatedly stressed that the war in Ukraine is a "European situation" and the United States should not have been involved in it. "This was a European situation. It should have remained a European situation," said the President. He criticized the previous administration for the United States' significant involvement in the conflict, both financially and militarily.

The American President suggested that the Vatican could serve as the venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. "I think it would be great to have it at the Vatican," said Trump, adding that Pope Leo XIV wants to do it.