Trump claims credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire but is 'frustrated' with Russia-Ukraine conflict

The India-Pakistan conflict was taking a dramatic turn for the worse but then out of the blue, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the US had brokered an end to the fighting. On his Truth Social platform, he made the surprise announcement that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire – all the more unexpected as, just days before, Vice President JD Vance had insisted the conflict was “fundamentally, none of our business.”

Trump claimed that the US "mediated" between India and Pakistan and helped them reach an understanding to end the fighting but India said it was achieved bilaterally through director general of military operations (DGMO)-level talks initiated by the Pakistani side.

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Trump 'frustrated' with Ukraine conflict

President Trump in a recent post said he was "proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision". But the 78-year-old Republican is struggling to get a similar deal to stop the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Trump had repeatedly claimed during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would end the war on his first day in office. He then pushed his target to 100 days. But till today, neither Kyiv nor Moscow has agreed on a permanent solution to their conflict.

In March, Trump said he was "being a little sarcastic" when he repeatedly claimed as a candidate that he would have the Russia-Ukraine war solved within 24 hours. “Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that,” Trump had said.

“What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful.” This was seen as a rare admission for Trump, who has a long record of making exaggerated claims.

Trump said at a CNN town hall in May 2023, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”

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Now, it seems the ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have ‘frustrated’ Trump, the WSJ reported citing sources. Trump has privately acknowledged that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they ‘want the whole thing’, the report stated. US Vice President JD Vance has publicly stated that Moscow is ‘asking for too much’ to end its war against Kyiv.

This comes as Trump hailed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, days after the former launched its Operation Sindoor strikes to avenge the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. "I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have lead to to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions. I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!," Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump and several other European leaders called for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. However, Moscow on Saturday said that fighting had been taking place in four regions of Ukraine despite this week's unilateral ceasefire.

Ukraine said Russia has continued to attack, calling the temporary ceasefire a farce. In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said its forces were sticking to the ceasefire - which Ukraine denies - and remaining at previously occupied lines.

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Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.

"It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. Nevertheless, we are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions."

"Despite everything, we offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul."

(With inputs from agencies)