US Signals Urgency to End Ukraine Conflict Ahead of Zelensky-Trump Meeting
As Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky prepares to visit Washington, a White House official told CNN that the United States believes "now is the time to end the war." The remark, attributed to an unnamed official, signals a renewed push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict that has raged since Russia's full-scale invasion.
The meeting between President Donald Trump and Zelensky is expected to take place today, July 28, with discussions centered on "the ongoing peace process between Russia and Ukraine," according to the same source. Trump is anticipated to use the talks to advance a ceasefire framework that has been floated in recent months, though few specifics have been made public.
The visit comes against a backdrop of shifting political dynamics in Washington, including the recent passing of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent voice on foreign policy. Zelensky is expected to attend Graham's funeral during his stay in the United States, a gesture underscoring the close ties between Ukraine and key American lawmakers.
President Trump, speaking on Fox News, reflected on Graham's legacy, saying he was a "lover of wars." He recalled, "Lindsey liked war. To be honest with you," adding, "I jokingly say, and it's nothing funny about it, but he's never seen a war that he didn't like."
Graham had been a vocal advocate for continued US military support to Ukraine, with Trump noting that the late senator was "very militant" on the subject. "He advocated for the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine until the very end," Trump said, according to the broadcast.
The White House official's comment that "now is the time to end the war" appears to mark a shift in tone, suggesting that both the administration and elements of the foreign policy establishment may be seeking a diplomatic off-ramp. However, no concrete proposals have been disclosed, and it remains unclear how Moscow and Kyiv will respond to any new initiative.
Zelensky's attendance at Graham's funeral, alongside the high-stakes meeting with Trump, is likely to reinforce the symbolism of bipartisanship in US support for Ukraine, even as the administration pushes for a negotiated end to hostilities.