"I think we're going to know in two weeks, one way or the other", US President Donald Trump said in a phone interview on 21/8, when asked about the chances of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.

"Then we may have to go a different route", the president added, without elaborating.

Trump has repeatedly set two-week deadlines related to the war in Ukraine and other issues. In late May, he set a similar timeframe to assess whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about pursuing a peace agreement.

Two weeks is also the timeframe the president has given himself to decide on next steps for issues such as trade, healthcare reform, and infrastructure plans.

President Trump speaks during a meeting with European leaders at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

President Trump speaks during a meeting with European leaders at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

President Trump has recently intensified efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine. He held a summit with President Putin on 15/8 in Alaska, followed by meetings with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on 18/8.

These events raised hopes for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Both leaders initially expressed openness to such a meeting, but subsequent developments suggest the prospects for peace talks are fragile.

Russia said on 21/8 that Ukraine appears uninterested in "lasting peace", accusing Kyiv of seeking security guarantees entirely incompatible with Moscow's demands. Meanwhile, Zelensky criticized Russia for "trying to avoid a meeting", suggesting Moscow does not want to end the war.

Nhu Tam (AFP, Kyiv Independent)