**Title: Trump Shifts Focus to Ending Russia's War on Ukraine**

WASHINGTON — Following a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump announced he is now prioritizing efforts to end Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. He is considering supplying Kyiv with long-range weaponry to encourage Moscow to engage in negotiations.

Ending the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza is a key component of Trump's campaign for the 2024 presidential election. He has criticized President Joe Biden's management of these crises. Despite his efforts, Trump has faced challenges in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the war approaches its fourth year.

With the recent ceasefire in Gaza, Trump expressed renewed optimism about making progress in Ukraine. He indicated he is prepared to increase pressure on Putin if negotiations do not commence soon. "Interestingly we made progress today, because of what’s happened in the Middle East," Trump stated during a dinner event on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke in Jerusalem, suggesting that the Gaza truce could facilitate U.S. efforts to help Israel and its Middle Eastern neighbors normalize relations. However, he emphasized that his primary foreign policy goal is to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, which he described as the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. "First we have to get Russia done," Trump said, addressing his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy on Friday, marking their fourth in-person meeting this year. Ahead of this meeting, Trump mentioned he is contemplating the sale of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which would enable strikes deep into Russian territory if Putin does not agree to a settlement. Zelenskyy has long sought these weapons, believing they would exert necessary pressure on Russia to prompt peace talks.

Putin has warned that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks would cross a significant line and further strain U.S.-Russia relations. Nevertheless, Trump remains undeterred, stating, "He’d like to have Tomahawks. We have a lot of Tomahawks."

Analysts suggest that while selling Tomahawks would be a notable move, it could take years to train Ukrainian forces on the system. Mark Montgomery, an analyst, noted that Ukraine might benefit more immediately from a surge of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The U.S. has already approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to Ukraine this year.

The Tomahawk missile has a range of approximately 995 miles, allowing for deeper strikes into Russian territory compared to the ERAM and ATACMS, which have ranges of 285 miles and 186 miles, respectively. Montgomery remarked, "To provide Tomahawks is as much a political decision as it is a military decision."

Zelenskyy is expected to urge Trump to impose further sanctions on Russia's economy, a move Trump has been hesitant to support. Congress is considering legislation that would impose stricter sanctions on Moscow, but Trump has focused on pressuring NATO allies to reduce their purchases of Russian oil, which funds the war.

On Wednesday, Trump claimed that India, a major buyer of Russian crude, had agreed to halt its oil purchases from Moscow. Legislation in the Senate awaits Trump's endorsement, which would impose heavy tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, gas, and other exports. Although Trump has not formally backed the bill, there are signs of increased interest from the White House in recent weeks.

Administration officials have reviewed the legislation, suggesting that Trump is becoming more serious about it. A White House official stated that the administration is collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that any proposed bills align with the president's foreign policy goals.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the administration is looking for stronger support from European allies, who face a greater threat from Russian aggression. "So all I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw," Bessent said. "There are very few things in life I’m sure about. I’m sure he’s not coming to Boston. So, we will respond ... if our European partners will join us."