Former President Donald Trump engaged in a whirlwind of foreign policy activities this week, including discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Following their conversation, Trump announced on Truth Social that both leaders had agreed to initiate negotiations and that teams from both sides would begin discussions promptly.

Key figures in the Trump administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, have been tasked with leading these negotiations. Further diplomatic efforts included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's visit to Kyiv and Vice President JD Vance's meeting with Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference. Despite these initiatives, the administration has faced criticism concerning the negotiations, with some expressing concerns about potential concessions from Ukraine. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement regarding the unlikelihood of Ukraine regaining its pre-war borders has fueled this debate.

This week also saw King Abdullah II of Jordan visit the White House amidst ongoing discussions about the relocation of Palestinian refugees. This follows Trump's recent proposal for the U.S. to assume long-term control of the Gaza Strip, a suggestion met with resistance from several Arab nations. While King Abdullah refrained from directly commenting on Trump's Gaza proposal, he did indicate Jordan's willingness to receive 2,000 Palestinian children in need of medical care.

In other news, Trump expressed his desire for a trilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin to discuss denuclearization. He emphasized the significant financial resources allocated to nuclear weapons development, suggesting these funds could be better utilized elsewhere. Trump also signed an executive order aimed at reducing the federal workforce, directing agencies to limit new hires and explore options for staff reductions. This follows a previous hiring freeze and a buyout program offered to federal employees. Finally, Trump announced his intention to cease production of the penny, citing its high production cost, although this move may require congressional approval.

Original reporting contributed by Emma Colton and Morgan Phillips of Fox News.