1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 11:49 IST
Trump said Russia's Vladimir Putin was ready to make a deal with Ukraine, but Zelenskyy was the main impediment to ending the war.
US President Donald Trump blamed Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the impasse in ending the war. (Reuters photo)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the ongoing impasse over the Ukraine war, saying he was the main impediment to resolving the nearly four-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.
Trump, who has frequently criticised both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy, has alternated between support for Kyiv and sympathising with Moscow, which has signalled that the US is no longer a certain ally as it was in the early years of the war.
Speaking to Reuters in the Oval Office, Trump said Putin was “ready to make a deal" and simply said “Zelenskyy" when asked about the exact reason behind the hold-up on a peace deal. “We have to get President Zelenskyy to go along with it," he added.
Asked if he supported the idea of US security guarantees to protect Ukraine through intelligence sharing, Trump said, “If we can get something done, we’d help. They’re losing 30,000 soldiers a month between them and Russia. Now, Europe is going to help us with that."
Trump’s recent comments suggested renewed frustration with the Ukrainian leader. The two presidents have long had a volatile relationship, though their interactions seem to have improved over Trump’s first year back in office.
Trump’s Plans For Ukraine
Amid his frustration, Trump has been more willing to accept Putin’s assurances for peace at times, which has irked Ukraine, European capitals and US lawmakers, including some Republicans.
After repeated setbacks, US-led negotiations have now focused on security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine to ensure that Russia does not invade it again after a potential peace deal. However, US negotiators have pushed Ukraine to abandon its eastern Donbas region as part of any accord with Russia, which is a red line for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy has publicly ruled out any territorial concessions to Moscow, saying Kyiv has no right under the country’s constitution to give up any land. Last week, he said a draft plan outlining American security guarantees for Kyiv was “essentially ready" to be submitted to Trump for his approval.
Ukrainian officials have been deeply involved in recent talks, which have been led on the US side by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. The duo are seeking to travel to Moscow to meet Putin, sources told Bloomberg.
Putin has maintained a firm tone on the Russian offensive, urging his army to continue efforts to take full control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. The Kremlin also repeated its demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the remaining parts of eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control.
Location :
United States of America (USA)
First Published:
January 15, 2026, 11:49 IST
News world 'Putin Ready To Make A Deal': Trump Blames Zelenskyy For Impasse Over Ukraine Peace Deal
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