Come midterms, Trump is rushing Russia and Ukraine to end war by June

The Greek Courier

Saturday 02/07/2026

Trump wants to use peace as leverage for the Midterms, but, really, can his ambition of political and financial gain align with the urgent need for lasting peace in a war-ravaged region?

Sources: Reuters, efsyn.gr, BBC News

s the political landscape shifts in the United States and Democrats gain momentum, President Donald Trump is ramping up his calls for a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine by June. With the midterm elections looming and the state of the union in disarray, Trump seeks to leverage a successful peace outcome to bolster his political position and attract voters. He also wants a Nobel Prize, handed by the Academy, not the winner.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just stated that the United States is advocating for a resolution to the war by summer, revealing that both Ukraine and Russia have been invited to discuss the conflict in Miami next week. "This is the first instance where the U.S. has proposed direct talks between our negotiating teams on American soil," he said, affirming Ukraine's commitment to participate.

Though reactions from Washington and Moscow have yet to surface, Trump has been vocal about his desire for a swift conclusion to the conflict. Since resuming office over a year ago, he has emphasized the importance of resolving this crisis, understanding that such a development could significantly influence the political climate ahead of the November elections.

Scheduling elections soon would be ideal, says the US

Yesterday, a Reuters report indicated that American and Ukrainian negotiators are even aiming for a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv by March, although this timeline may be flexible due to ongoing disagreements regarding crucial territorial matters. According to the sources familiar with the discussions:

• Any potential agreement would be submitted to a referendum, coinciding with national elections in Ukraine, as stated by five anonymous sources. The American delegation, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, conveyed to Ukrainian officials during meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami that scheduling elections soon would be ideal, according to three of these sources.
• American negotiators point out that Donald Trump is likely to concentrate on domestic matters as the midterm elections in November approach, which may limit the time and resources U.S. officials can allocate to securing a peace agreement, noted two sources.
• The second round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi resulted in the exchange of 314 prisoners of war, alongside a commitment to continue talks in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that a trilateral meeting could take place soon in the U.S.
• Two of the sources revealed that Americans and Ukrainians discussed the possibility of holding elections and a referendum in May; however, many others considered this timeline to be overly optimistic. Ukrainian officials estimate that organizing elections under current conditions would take about six months, with one source highlighting the urgency expressed by the Americans.
• Conducting elections would necessitate legislative adjustments since elections are currently prohibited under martial law. The financial implications also pose a challenge.
• Ukraine seeks a ceasefire throughout the election campaign to ensure the integrity of the referendum and expresses concerns due to past instances where the Kremlin has failed to honor agreed-upon ceasefires. "Kyiv's stance is that no agreements can be made until the U.S. and other partners provide security guarantees for Ukraine," stated one source.

"The Americans have indicated that they want an agreement by June," Zelensky explained, noting the urgency tied to domestic political considerations in the U.S. "The timing is crucial, as the midterm elections will undoubtedly play a role in how these discussions unfold."

The war rages on

As diplomatic overtures persist, so do Russian assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities. Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal reported sustained aerial attacks on vital infrastructure, leading to significant disruptions across various regions, including instances where thousands have been left without power. "This marks another wave of offensive actions aimed at crippling our energy capabilities," Shmyhal asserted.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also retaliated, conducting strikes against Russian targets, including facilities associated with missile fuel production. The ongoing conflict remains marked by significant casualties and suffering on both sides, with Zelensky highlighting the heavy toll of the war.

Criticism has emerged from Moscow, with officials expressing skepticism about Ukraine's commitment to securing peace. Trump, despite this ongoing violence, remains steadfast in his position that a ceasefire before the summer could significantly reshape his political narrative and influence voter sentiment in the upcoming elections.

As the U.S. seeks to mediate peace talks, the stakes are higher than ever for both Ukraine and Russia. For Trump, the potential to showcase a diplomatic victory looms large, presenting an opportunity to drive his campaign message home. Yet, the moral question remains: can the ambition of political and financial gain align with the urgent need for lasting peace in a war-ravaged region? As June approaches, the world watches closely.