Russia, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, pounded Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing about 12 people in the biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year and drawing a rare rebuke from United States President Donald Trump, who told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, “Vladimir, STOP!”
Trump told reporters at the White House that his administration was applying “a lot of pressure” on Russia and reiterated his displeasure with the attack.
But he said significant progress had been made in peace negotiations and Russia had made a “pretty big concession” by being open to “stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country,” referring to Ukraine.
Trump said: “This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now.
“I think we’re going to make a deal. I think we’re getting very close.”
Speaking to CBS News‘ “Face the Nation” on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the effort was “moving in the right direction” but “some specific points need to be fine-tuned”. He did not provide details.
Trump added that the United States was also pressuring Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also at the White House, said further discussions were planned for the weekend, and the U.S. wants to see both Ukraine and Russia step up to finalize a deal.
Russian missile strike kills 18 in Zelensky’s hometown
After talks with Trump in Washington, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that Kyiv was working hard for a deal.
“There is something on the table now I think, where Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now,” he told reporters.
The Kyiv attack, which the U.S. president said was “not necessary” and “very bad timing” as he pushes for peace, also wounded 90 people, smashed buildings and set off fires, Ukrainian officials said.
Rescuers were still recovering bodies from the rubble more than 12 hours later, Reuters reported.
Asked if he had a deadline for the two sides, Trump said: “I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast.”
The latest attack came at a critical moment in Russia’s war in Ukraine, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Both Kyiv and Moscow are trying to show Trump they are making progress towards his goal of a rapid peace deal.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump said on Truth Social, addressing the Russian president.
Asked by a reporter if he thought Putin would listen to his appeal to stop missile strikes, Trump said: “I do.”
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