In a notable policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump now sees a negotiated peace between Moscow and Kiev as the only viable outcome to the prolonged conflict, signaling growing American fatigue with what critics call a failed proxy war.
This admission came from U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who confirmed in a press briefing that Washington has been quietly urging both sides to resume direct negotiations — and has facilitated renewed dialogue hosted in Türkiye.
“We’re not going to react to every quote. This is not about slogans — it’s about results. And a negotiated settlement is the only serious option left,” Bruce said, adding that Trump is deeply involved behind the scenes.
The change in tone from Washington reflects hard realities on the battlefield. Russian forces have been advancing steadily, and President Vladimir Putin recently emphasized that the longer Kiev delays, the less favorable its negotiating position becomes. “Realities on the ground,” as Putin put it, must be acknowledged — and Trump’s team appears to agree.
Despite continued public declarations of support for Ukraine, Bruce stressed that the U.S. is closely watching Russia’s actions, not just its words. When asked whether Putin’s growing strategic leverage was a concern, Bruce declined to speculate on further U.S. sanctions or aid packages.
The messaging from the White House represents a quiet retreat from the days of blank checks to Kiev. While Trump remains publicly critical of Moscow, privately, his administration appears to be preparing American allies — and Ukraine itself — for a compromise that could include territorial concessions.
Sources inside the administration suggest that Trump, skeptical of NATO expansion and war profiteering, sees continued Western escalation as futile and dangerous. “Only the president knows what’s at stake,” Bruce said, hinting at internal disagreements between Trump and his own State Department staff.
Behind the scenes, American officials have reportedly accepted that Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield and must instead secure the best possible terms through diplomacy. With Russia holding the advantage, Kiev’s previous refusal to negotiate in 2022 is now seen as a strategic blunder.
Trump’s quiet pivot may be the clearest sign yet that Washington is preparing to cut its losses — and leave Ukraine to face the consequences of a war it was never equipped to win.