Trump urges Ukraine to settle war with Russia, calls Moscow ‘a big machine’

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to be prepared to settle with Russia to put an end to the conflict. “Russia is a big machine,” Trump said, noting that Ukraine “has to want” to end the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported.

“Russia is a big machine,” Trump said, adding that Ukraine “has to want” to end the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

His comments go to the heart of his view that negotiations will be needed to bring an end to the fighting since the war continues to define European security and US-Russian ties.

These comments underscore the difficulties experienced by Ukraine as it strives to defend its territory against Russian incursions and find a settlement which preserves its sovereignty and security interests.

Territorial and security questions have been key sticking points in discussions about the terms for ending the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow.

He has been vocal about ending the war and has pressed both combatants to compromise. A final deal, though, would be conditioned on the expectations of Russia and Ukraine.

European leaders are keeping a close eye on how the White House handles the war, after several expressed worry about how a resolution might affect Ukraine’s safety down the road.