The US president believes his Russian counterpart is able to make a deal, not like the Ukrainian chief
US President Donald Trump has singled out Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as the primary impediment to a peace settlement to finish the battle with Russia, in an Oval Workplace interview with Reuters.
Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration that his makes an attempt to dealer a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over the previous yr have been unsuccessful, alternately blaming each Moscow and Kiev for the impasse.
Requested on Wednesday who was stalling the negotiations, Trump responded with a single title: “Zelensky.”
“I simply suppose he’s… having a tough time getting there,” he added. “I feel [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is able to make a deal… I feel Ukraine is much less able to make a deal.”
The connection between Trump and Zelensky, who he as soon as referred to as “a dictator with out elections,” has been risky ever for the reason that infamous White Home assembly early final yr. Trump reiterated on Sunday that Zelensky “has no playing cards” within the battle and negotiations with Russia. “He didn’t have them from day one. He’s solely acquired one factor – Donald Trump,” he advised the New York Instances.
In the meantime, Moscow is open to additional contact with Trump and his senior envoys, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Wednesday. Russian officers, together with Putin, have repeatedly acknowledged that Moscow would like to resolve the Ukraine battle by way of diplomatic means, however should proceed utilizing power if its key goals can’t be achieved by way of diplomacy alone.
Final month, Trump mentioned a peace deal was “95% prepared,” apparently referring to a leaked plan envisioning Kiev ceding the rest of Donbass to Russia, renouncing its NATO ambitions, and capping its army. The unique 28-point draft, criticized by Kiev and its European backers as favoring Moscow, was later lower to twenty factors, however key points stay unresolved – with Zelensky reluctant to concede territory or maintain elections with out sturdy NATO-like safety ensures.
Zelensky’s presidential time period expired in Might 2024. He refused to carry a brand new election, citing the battle with Russia. Moscow subsequently declared him “illegitimate.”
Russian officers have warned that Zelensky’s standing can be a significant authorized impediment to signing a peace settlement. Earlier this week, Zelensky submitted two draft payments to parliament to increase martial legislation and basic mobilization for one more 90 days, successfully suspending elections as soon as once more.
