Trump Warns Russia-Ukraine War Risks “Third World War,” Urges Immediate Halt to Fighting

US President Donald Trump issued one of his sharpest warnings yet on Thursday, cautioning that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is moving on a “dangerous trajectory” that could spark a global catastrophe.

“Things like this end up in third world wars,” Trump said at the White House after signing an Executive Order on AI regulation. Calling for an immediate end to hostilities, he revealed that 25,000 people — mostly soldiers — have been killed in the past month alone.

“I’d like to see the killing stop… I would love to see it stop,” he told reporters, saying he was “working very hard” to push both sides toward a deal.

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US Frustration Peaks as Peace Talks Stagnate

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “extremely frustrated with both sides” and tired of “meetings just for the sake of meeting.”

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his team are currently in discussions with Ukrainian and Russian officials. But Leavitt admitted it was still undecided whether Washington would join peace talks planned for this weekend.

Trump — who previously claimed he could end the war “in a day” — is growing impatient.
“He doesn’t want any more talk. He wants action. He wants this war to come to an end,” Leavitt said.

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Ukraine’s 20-Point Peace Plan, Sticking Points Remain

Ukraine has submitted a 20-point settlement framework with separate documents on security guarantees.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored two major unresolved issues:

• Control of Donetsk

• Status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

He said no territorial concession can be made without a national referendum.

Kyiv is wary of US suggestions of a “free economic zone” in parts of Donbas, while Russia has proposed a “demilitarised zone.” Zelenskyy said some compromise ideas — including Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk if Russia also withdraws — were being discussed, but insisted any pullback must be reciprocal.

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Europe Races to Influence Talks as Battlefield Tensions Grow

European leaders are hurrying to shape the negotiations, concerned Trump’s accelerated timeline could pressure Ukraine into concessions.

Germany’s Friedrich Merz, the UK’s Keir Starmer, and France’s Emmanuel Macron want to finalise peace proposals with the US this weekend, calling the moment “critical.”

Russia is signalling cooperation by submitting new “collective security” proposals to Washington.

Meanwhile, both sides report intensified battlefield action:

• Putin claims Russian forces have captured Siversk, asserting they hold the “strategic initiative” — a claim Kyiv denies.

• Ukraine launched long-range drone attacks, hitting a Russian oil rig in the Caspian Sea, and forcing flight suspensions at several Moscow airports.