US President Donald Trump told Reuters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, is delaying a potential peace deal to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Trump said he believes Putin is ready to finalize an agreement, while Kyiv remains hesitant.
In an Oval Office interview on Wednesday, Trump said, “I think [Putin]’s ready to make a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” citing Zelenskiy as the primary obstacle to progress.
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The remarks contrast sharply with the positions of European allies, who argue that Moscow has little interest in ending its military campaign. Trump has historically shown a willingness to take Putin’s assurances at face value, frustrating Kyiv, European capitals, and even some US lawmakers.
US-led negotiations have focused on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine, including discussions about the eastern Donbas region. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff have played key roles in these talks, though outcomes remain uncertain.
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Trump also indicated he would meet Zelenskiy at next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos if the Ukrainian president attends but provided no further details. Zelenskiy has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions to Moscow, citing Ukraine’s constitutional rights.