US President Donald Trump is confident in his ability to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt suggesting that the three-year war could conclude as soon as this week. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Leavitt said Trump and his team are actively engaged in negotiations with both sides, emphasizing the president's belief that a resolution is imminent. "The president, his team are very much focused on continuing negotiations with both sides of this war to end the conflict, and the president is very confident we can get it done this week," she said on the South Lawn after returning from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The remarks followed Trump's controversial claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "has no cards" and should be excluded from future peace negotiations with international leaders. Leavitt also confirmed that US National Security Adviser Matt Waltz would be working "around the clock" this weekend on finalizing a deal, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remains involved in discussions regarding Ukraine's raw mineral resources as part of a proposed economic agreement. "When it comes to the critical minerals, this is an important piece for the president. It's very important for the president, because it will recoup American tax dollars," Leavitt said. She added that the agreement would create an economic partnership benefiting both the United States and Ukraine as the latter looks to rebuild following the war. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to end the Ukraine conflict swiftly, and his administration has been engaged in high-level talks with Russian officials to accelerate peace efforts. — Agencies
