Russia launches deadliest attack on Kyiv this year
Headline update to reflect proper location and scope of attack: A previous version of this video misstated today’s attack as the deadliest on Ukraine in months.
This is a “very critical week” that will determine whether the Trump administration continues with negotiations over ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview.
The Trump administration has been trying to broker a peace deal to halt the three-year conflict. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired April 27, Rubio said he believes the two sides are “close” to reaching a deal and there are “reasons to be optimistic,” but “we’re not close enough.”
“This week is going to be a really important week in which we have to determine whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in,” Rubio added.
President Donald Trump has expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media in recent days. Trump chided Putin in an April 24 social media post after Russia bombed Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!” Trump wrote, adding: “Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
On April 26, Trump wrote that there was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days” and that “it makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently.”
Trump tells European leaders: ‘Let’s see what happens’
Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 26 in Rome on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral. White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung described the meeting as “productive” and Zelenskyy said it had the “potential to become historic.”
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on April 25.
Trump, Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance have warned Ukraine that Washington could abandon trying to negotiate a Ukraine-Russia peace settlement if there is no progress on a deal soon.
“If it’s not possible, if we’re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he’s going to say, ‘Well, we’re done,'” Rubio said on April 18.
Trump was asked on April 24 during a meeting with Norwegian leaders whether the U.S. would stop sending Ukraine weapons and sharing military intelligence with the country if the administration decides to walk away from peace negotiations.
“Let’s see what happens,” Trump said. “I think we’re gonna make a deal. And if I make a deal that will be wonderful, we won’t have to worry about your question.”
As the U.S. works to get a peace deal, where to draw territorial lines is a big sticking point. Trump made it clear in a Time magazine interview that Ukraine will not regain control over Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014.
“Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” Trump said.
Trump also said Ukraine can’t join NATO.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY