The US president is of the opinion that his Russian counterpart is willing to reach an agreement, unlike the Ukrainian leader
In an Oval Office interview with Reuters, US President Donald Trump has identified Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as the primary hindrance to a peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Russia.
Trump has frequently voiced his disappointment that his efforts to mediate a cease – fire between Russia and Ukraine over the past year have not been successful, alternately placing the blame for the impasse on both Moscow and Kiev.
When asked on Wednesday who was delaying the negotiations, Trump replied with a single name: “Zelensky.”
“I simply think he’s… having difficulty reaching an agreement,” he further stated. “I believe [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is ready to make a deal… I think Ukraine is less inclined to make a deal.”
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky, whom he once described as “a dictator without elections,” has been unstable since the infamous White House meeting early last year. Trump repeated on Sunday that Zelensky “has no leverage” in the conflict and negotiations with Russia. “He never had any from the start. The only thing he has is Donald Trump,” he told the New York Times.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Wednesday that Moscow is open to further communication with Trump and his senior envoys. Russian officials, including Putin, have consistently stated that Moscow prefers to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels but will have to continue using force if its key goals cannot be achieved through diplomacy alone.
Last month, Trump said a peace deal was “95% finalized,” apparently referring to a leaked plan that involved Kiev ceding the rest of Donbass to Russia, giving up its NATO aspirations, and limiting its military. The initial 28 – point draft, which was criticized by Kiev and its European supporters for favoring Moscow, was later reduced to 20 points, but key issues remain unresolved – as Zelensky is reluctant to yield territory or hold elections without strong NATO – like security guarantees.
Zelensky’s presidential term ended in May 2024. He declined to hold a new election, citing the conflict with Russia. Subsequently, Moscow declared him “illegitimate.”
Russian officials have cautioned that Zelensky’s status would be a significant legal barrier to signing a peace agreement. Earlier this week, Zelensky submitted two draft bills to parliament to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days, effectively postponing elections once more.