US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and NATO are “intensifying pressure” to end the war in Ukraine, after his efforts to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a ceasefire failed.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after meeting Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on Thursday: “Yes, we are intensifying the pressure… intensifying it together and all. NATO has been great,” according to AFP.

He also added that his administration might impose additional sanctions on Russia, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Niinistö emphasized his confidence that Trump will be able to move forward in reaching an agreement on Ukraine after completing the Gaza agreement between Israel and Hamas.

He told reporters: “I think this will be the next big event.”

Proving Difficult to Resolve

It is noted that the US president acknowledged that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has proven difficult to resolve.

Trump held a summit with Putin in Alaska last August but failed to make a breakthrough, and since then Russian attacks on Ukraine have escalated.

On Wednesday, Russia indicated that momentum toward a peace agreement in Ukraine has largely faded following the meeting.