In an interview with Reuters, Trump said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to strike a deal. “I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.” Asked why U.S.-led negotiations had not yet resolved the war, he answered simply: “Zelensky.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov agreed. “President Putin and the Russian side remain open [to talks],” he told reporters. “The Russian position is well known to the American negotiators, to President Trump, and to the leadership of the Kyiv regime.”
Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea and areas of the Donetsk region. Moscow has demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from territory it does not control but claims as its own. Kyiv has rejected ceding any land and insists on halting hostilities along current front lines. The U.S. has floated the idea of a free economic zone as part of a potential agreement.
Talks in recent weeks have centered on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are leading the negotiations on the U.S. side. Peskov said Moscow would welcome a visit from both once a date is set.
Asked if he planned to meet Zelensky at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said, “I would—if he’s there.”
Pressed on why he thinks Zelensky is holding back, Trump replied only, “I just think he’s, you know, having a hard time getting there.”
Zelensky has consistently rejected territorial concessions, saying Ukraine’s constitution forbids surrendering land.
European leaders, in contrast to Trump’s position, have argued that Russia remains uninterested in ending the war and is seeking to expand its control while avoiding more Western sanctions.
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Source: Reuters, PAP