U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Russia appears ready to reach a peace agreement, while negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are proving to be significantly more challenging. He made the remarks during a briefing in the Oval Office.
I believe Russia is ready. Many people have said that Moscow is willing to make concessions. I think we could reach an agreement with Russia. But we need to come to terms with Zelensky. I had hoped that would be easier, but in reality, it has turned out to be more difficult. Nevertheless, we are working with both sides. I hope a deal will be reached because this is about saving the situation and the lives of many people. We’ve already spent a lot of resources, and it’s important to find a solution, Trump said.
The day before, Trump harshly criticized President Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the conflict in Ukraine. His comments sparked widespread reaction and renewed debate both in the U.S. and internationally.
Trump also did not rule out the possibility of a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his upcoming trip to the Middle East, scheduled for May 13–16. During the visit, Trump is set to travel to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
When asked whether he would meet with Putin during this trip, Trump replied, “It’s possible, but probably not. I think we’ll meet shortly after that.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg described his recent talks with the Ukrainian delegation in London as “positive,” noting that both sides were able to discuss key aspects of a potential settlement.
