Ukrainian attacks within Russia are creating an opportunity for negotiation between Moscow and Kyiv, according to U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker. Whitaker shared this insight on Saturday as President Donald Trump continues his efforts to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the ongoing war.

In an appearance on “The Big Weekend Show,” Whitaker stressed the importance of both parties cooperating to conclude the conflict. He noted that Ukraine’s continued strong attacks on Russia could play a role in bringing the sides closer to negotiations. However, Whitaker warned that significant differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv on key issues, stating that hostilities would not lead to a resolution.

“This conflict is not going to be resolved on the battlefield. It’s only going to be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation,” he said.

President Trump and his team are actively communicating with both sides to identify shared interests that could aid in facilitating negotiations. Despite challenges, Whitaker expressed optimism about the possibility of a deal, given Trump’s experience as a businessman and dealmaker.

Whitaker added that if Putin remains unyielding, reaching a resolution would be “impossible.” Nevertheless, the ambassador believes that a deal could be on the horizon.

Trump highlighted the severe toll of the conflict, noting that 25,000 people were killed in the past month, with 32,000 casualties reported the month prior, predominantly affecting soldiers. These numbers emphasize the urgent need for peace talks.

Additionally, reports from the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) indicate that Russia has lost up to 450,000 soldiers since the invasion began in 2022, underscoring the devastating impact of the war.

Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed insights to this report, while Max Bacall serves as an associate editor focusing on media, culture, and comedy.