‘Zelensky and Putin Hate Each Other’: Trump On Why Ukraine Peace Deal Is Hard

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 22:12 IST

Donald Trump says progress is being made to end the Russia–Ukraine war, citing talks with Putin and upcoming US-mediated peace talks, despite ongoing hostility with Zelenskyy.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said progress was being made toward ending the Russia–Ukraine war, while acknowledging that hostility between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to complicate peace efforts.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the personal animosity between the two leaders was a major hurdle. “Zelenskyy and Putin hate each other, and it makes it very difficult," he said, adding, “But I think we’re getting very close to getting a settlement. I think we have a good chance of getting it settled."

Trump’s remarks came a day after he revealed that he had recently spoken with Putin and requested a temporary pause in Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities amid extreme winter conditions. According to Trump, Putin agreed to the request.

“I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and various towns for a week, and he agreed to do that," Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. “A lot of people said, ‘Don’t waste the call, you’re not going to get that.’ And he did it."

The US president said his appeal was driven by unusually harsh weather in the region, describing it as “record-setting cold." Drawing a comparison with freezing conditions in Washington, Trump said the severe weather was worsening humanitarian concerns on both sides.

Despite the diplomatic signals, fighting has continued on the ground. Ukrainian officials said three people were killed in an overnight Russian drone attack in the southern Zaporizhzhia region on Thursday, while Zelenskyy warned that Russia could be preparing for another major offensive.

Trump’s comments come ahead of US-mediated peace talks expected to take place over the weekend. They also follow Russia’s invitation to Zelenskyy to hold negotiations in Moscow, aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Moscow was being considered as a potential venue for the talks, following last week’s first trilateral meeting involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Zelenskyy would be welcome in Moscow if he agreed to meet, adding that Russia would ensure his security and make all necessary arrangements for the discussions.

The diplomatic manoeuvring underscores growing international efforts to find a negotiated end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, even as hostilities persist on the battlefield.

News world ‘Zelensky and Putin Hate Each Other’: Trump On Why Ukraine Peace Deal Is Hard

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