Trump Admin's Secret Talks With Moscow 'Fruitless' As Putin Boasts Troops Advancing 'Along Entire Frontline'

President Trump condemned Russia's deadly strikes on Kyiv, calling them "disgusting." The Trump administration has set an August 8 deadline for a ceasefire and peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. US diplomat John Kelley informed the UN Security Council that failure to reach a deal would result in new tariffs and sanctions. Trump, however, continues to frame the conflict as "Biden’s war." Behind the scenes, secret talks with Russian officials have been ongoing but have yielded no progress. Trump's special envoy is scheduled for another visit to Russia, though past attempts have been unsuccessful. Despite imposing sanctions, Trump acknowledges that they may not deter Putin, as the Russian economy has shown resilience. Previously, Trump's officials suggested Ukraine would not join NATO and questioned Moscow's culpability in the war. There has been a noticeable shift in Trump's strategy, moving away from relying on a personal relationship with Putin. He expresses frustration that diplomatic efforts are often followed by Russian escalations. Meanwhile, President Putin declared Russian troops are advancing and that Moscow's goals in Ukraine remain unchanged. Putin also announced the mass production of a new missile system and expressed a desire for continued peace talks with tempered expectations. He views the conflict within the broader context of European security demands. Trump believes the war is a disgrace and should end, yet the US continues to arm Ukraine and has not pressured Kyiv to make territorial concessions or rule out NATO membership.