Trump urges Ukraine to reach deal with Russia to end war

President Donald Trump on Tuesday intensified his rhetoric against Ukraine, urging the country to reach a deal with Russia to end the war and suggesting Ukraine is an obstacle to peace. He also hinted at a possible breakthrough in the case of imprisoned American Stephen Hubbard. Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office as US envoy Steve Witkoff prepared to travel to Russia for further talks after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. Trump claimed Russia has the clear upper hand, saying it has taken a very large piece of land, and warned that if Zelensky lacks the will to end the war, things will end very badly. Trump stated the US has given Ukraine massive aid but received nothing in return except expensive diesel, and again urged Ukrainian forces to stop attacking Russian refineries. Regarding Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher serving a nearly seven-year sentence for alleged mercenary activity, Trump said he asked Putin to release him and suggested progress could come within days.