Trump’s Comments on Ukraine Conflict

During a press event on Monday, President Trump suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more eager to reach a peace agreement than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This statement followed Zelensky’s accusations against Putin for breaching a recent energy cease-fire.

Trump asserted that he helped facilitate a temporary truce over the weekend, adding that “both sides have committed violations” of the agreement. He seemed to downplay Zelensky’s concerns that Putin endangered the deal by targeting natural gas facilities.

“All I know is that Zelensky and Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war,” Trump stated while departing the White House en route to a campaign rally in Ohio. He emphasized the high human cost of the conflict, mentioning a loss of 32,000 lives in the month alone, labeling the situation as absurd.

“They agreed [to the energy cease-fire]. You know why? Because I said you agreed. That’s why,” he continued, asserting his influence in the negotiations and underscoring the importance of reaching a resolution.

Trump has recently been critical of Zelensky, even suggesting it may be time for Ukraine to find a new leader after the Ukrainian president expressed dissatisfaction with a deal Trump announced regarding the export of Russian diesel to the U.S.

Zelensky had earlier resisted Trump’s requests to halt attacks on Russian oil facilities as rising diesel prices have been linked to the ongoing conflict and the effects of the U.S.-Iran situation.

In his remarks, Trump conveyed a belief that both sides are interested in a deal but are uncertain on how to proceed. “I think they want to make a deal, but they don’t know how. But we’re going to get them to make a deal,” he said.

He reinforced his stance by stating, “[Putin] wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a deal… I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky.”