United States President Donald Trump said that a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is being held up by Kiev, not Moscow, in stark contrast to the rhetoric of European allies, who insist that the Kremlin has no interest in ending the war.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to end the nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is more reserved.
"I think (Putin) is ready to make a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal," Trump said.
Asked why US-brokered negotiations have not yet led to an end to the largest land conflict in Europe since World War II, Trump responded with one word: "Zelensky."
Trump's comments suggest that he is again unhappy with the behavior of Zelensky, with whom he has long had a volatile relationship, although their interactions appear to have improved during 2025.
Trump has at times been more willing to take Putin's assurances at face value than the leaders of some US allies, frustrating Kiev, European countries and members of the US Congress, including some Republicans.
Reuters reported in December that US intelligence agencies were still warning that Putin had not given up on conquering all of Ukraine and regaining control of parts of Europe that belonged to the Soviet Union. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard disputed those allegations at the time.
The focus of US-brokered talks in recent weeks has been on security guarantees for post-war Ukraine, to ensure that Russia does not attack it again after a peace deal is reached. In principle, US negotiators have been pressuring Ukraine to give up its eastern Donbas region in exchange for a deal with Russia.
Zelensky has publicly ruled out the possibility of any territorial concessions to Russia, saying that Kiev has no right under the Constitution to give up any part of Ukrainian territory.
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