Trump Says Putin 'Wants to Make a Deal' Amid Ukraine Conflict
The former president claimed credit for a recent energy cease-fire and criticized both leaders for prolonging the war.
President Trump asserted Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more eager to reach a resolution in the Ukraine conflict than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This statement comes after Zelensky accused Putin of violating a recent energy cease-fire.
Trump claimed responsibility for brokering the limited truce over the weekend, stating that "there have been violations on both sides." He dismissed Zelensky's assertion that Putin was solely to blame for jeopardizing the agreement by targeting natural gas infrastructure.
"All I know is that Zelensky and Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war," Trump told reporters. "This month they lost 32,000 people in that war, and it’s ridiculous. So they have to get together and get it done."
He added, "They agreed [to the energy cease-fire]. You know why? Because I said you agreed. That’s why. They agreed because I said they agreed, and that thing has to get settled."
Trump has recently been critical of Zelensky, stating, "it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president" after Zelensky objected to a deal announced by Trump that would allow Russian diesel to be exported to the United States. Zelensky had previously disregarded Trump's calls to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, a move that followed a significant increase in global diesel prices due to the conflict and ongoing tensions with Iran.
"I think they want to make a deal, but they don’t know how. But we’re going to get them to make a deal," Trump said. "[Putin] wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a deal… I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky."