US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump stated that Putin is “tired of this whole thing” and wants to engage in talks to find a solution. This development comes on the heels of a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, the first direct talks since 2022. The two sides agreed to exchange lists of conditions for a potential ceasefire, conduct a major prisoner swap, and discuss a follow-up meeting.
Trump emphasized the importance of his involvement in the peace process, saying, “I always felt there can’t be a meeting without me because I don’t think a deal’s gonna get through.” He also expressed optimism about the chances of reaching a settlement, citing his “very good relationship” with Putin. Trump believes that the two leaders can work together to find a solution, saying, “I think we’ll make a deal. We have to get together, and I think we’ll probably schedule it.”
However, Trump’s comments also highlighted the complexities of the conflict. When asked about Putin’s role in the peace process, Trump shifted the focus to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, saying, “I had a real rough session with Zelensky, because I didn’t like what he said. He was not making it easy… He doesn’t have the cards.” Trump was referring to a public spat with Zelensky, in which he accused the Ukrainian leader of ingratitude for past US military aid and “gambling with World War III.”
Trump also criticized the policy of assisting Ukraine adopted by his predecessor, Joe Biden. He claimed that Zelensky has been successful in securing large amounts of aid from the US, saying, “Every time… he came to Washington, he walks out with $100 billion… I think he’s the greatest salesman in the world, far better than me.” Trump added that Congress has grown frustrated with this approach, suggesting that it may be time for a new strategy.
The Ukrainian leader was initially hesitant to agree to the talks in Istanbul without any conditions, insisting on a 30-day ceasefire beforehand. However, after Trump’s insistence that “Ukraine should agree to this immediately,” Zelensky sent a delegation to the meeting. Moscow has not ruled out the idea of a ceasefire but expressed concerns that Kiev could use the pause to rebuild its military. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the road to peace in Ukraine will be long and complicated, with many stakeholders and interests at play. Despite the challenges, Trump’s confidence in a potential deal between the US and Russia offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the conflict.
