Trump on Russia-Ukraine talks: ‘Nobody’s playing me’

KLFY ^ | 4/18/2025 | Brett Samuels and The Hill

[marcusmaximus]

President Trump on Friday was adamant he was not being “played” in talks to end the war in Ukraine and sounded a confident note he would be able to close the deal after Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the clock was ticking on negotiations.

“We’re going to get it stopped, ideally. Now, if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say ‘you’re foolish, you’re fools, you’re horrible people and we’re just going to take a pass.’ But hopefully we won’t have to do that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

“I think we have a good chance of solving the problem, however,” Trump added.

Asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin was stalling, as many skeptics have argued, Trump said he hoped not. Trump also brushed back a question about whether he was being played by Russia.

“No, nobody’s playing me. I’m trying to help,” Trump said.

“Nobody’s playing anybody. We are going to see if we can get it done,” he added. “I think we have a really good chance of getting it done. And it’s coming to a head right now.”

Trump would not say whether he would continue to provide support to Ukraine if ceasefire talks failed.

“I’m not going to say that, because I think we’re going to get it done,” Trump said.

[rrrod]

Europe is incapable of solving anything. All they ever do is cry, whine and beg.

[Kazan]

The Minsk Accords, you dunce, weren't between Ukraine and Russia. So, Russia could not violate the agreement.

This just another example of how much you lie.

Both Angela Merkel and François Hollande have both admitted that Ukraine was encouraged to sign and renege on the Minsk Accords to give Ukraine time to build up its military for another offense.

"Then (in 2014), in order to prevent even worse things, everyone signed this agreement. Was it possible to stop the war then? This question is no longer relevant. I believe that the Minsk agreements gave Ukraine more time to develop between 2014 and 2021. Now Ukraine can both make a response and also to get the necessary support." -- Angela Merkel.

"Yes, Angela Merkel is right on this point," Hollande told the Kiev Independent media outlet, while commenting on Merkel’s remark that the Minsk agreements allowed Kiev to gain time, but by no means prevented further hostilities in the Donbass. "Since 2014, Ukraine has strengthened its military posture. Indeed, the Ukrainian army was completely different from that of 2014. It was better trained and equipped. It is the merit of the Minsk agreements to have given the Ukrainian army this opportunity."

[Petrosius]

The Minsk Accords, you dunce, weren't between Ukraine and Russia. So, Russia could not violate the agreement.

You are being dishonest. The Donbas militias were not independent actors. They were Russian surrogates operating at the direction of Moscow.

Both Angela Merkel and François Hollande have both admitted that Ukraine was encouraged to sign and renege on the Minsk Accords to give Ukraine time to build up its military for another offense.

Look at the her statement again. It does say that this was the intention of the agreement but the result. But leave it to Russian apologists to distort the reality. But why were the Minsk Accords necessary in the first place? Because Moscow reneged on its commitments to honor Ukraine's borders. No Russian seizure of the territory in 2014, no need for the accords.

[joesbucks]

I understand. But it’s not what was promised.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Meanwhile in Ukraine, celebrating Easter with gay pride parade!

https://x.com/panchenko_x/status/1913301794710753583?s=46

[Kazan]

It's a FACT that Minsk Accords were signed between Ukraine and the LPR and DPR.

Russia was not part of it.

Those running Donetsk and Lugansk absolutely represented the majority in both oblasts, who voted for Viktor Yanukovych by more than 70-30% margins.

[rxh4n1]

“President Trump really wants to stop the killing on both sides. It’s a complicated situation.”

Troll vs Troll here.

[rxh4n1]

“marcusmaximus”

Marvelous. The DU Troll and the Uke nationalist Troll join together to hate on Trump.

[Petrosius]

It's a FACT that Minsk Accords were signed between Ukraine and the LPR and DPR.

You can deny it all you want but the LPR and DPR are nothing more than that Russian agents. They came to power before any referenda through military action. They represent the interests of Moscow, not of the people of Donetsk who are majority Ukrainian. What hypocrisy you have for characterizing what happened in Kyiv as a coup while supporting real coups Crimea and Donbas.