Not Putin: Trump made a statement about who is dragging out the negotiations
15 January 08:50
US President Donald Trump has stated that it is Ukraine, not Russia, that is currently holding back the conclusion of a potential peace agreement to end the war. This position contrasts sharply with the assessments of Kyiv’s European allies, who have repeatedly emphasized that Moscow is not showing any real interest in ending the hostilities. Trump made this statement in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday in the Oval Office of the White House, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Trump’s position on Putin and Zelensky
According to the US president, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is, in his opinion, ready to end the nearly four-year war against Ukraine. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Trump noted, takes a much more cautious position.
“I think he is ready to make a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” Trump said, speaking about the Kremlin’s readiness for agreements.
When asked by journalists why the US-mediated negotiations had not yet yielded results, the American leader replied briefly: “Zelensky.”
Tension in relations between Kyiv and Washington
Trump’s comments indicate another escalation in his attitude toward the Ukrainian president. Relations between the two leaders have long remained unstable, although after Trump’s return to office, they appeared less confrontational.
At the same time, Kyiv and European capitals have repeatedly expressed concern that Trump tends to trust Putin’s assurances more than the assessments of US allies and his own intelligence services. This has drawn criticism not only from Europe, but also from some US lawmakers, including Republicans.
What intelligence and allies say
In December, Reuters reported that US intelligence continues to believe that Putin has not abandoned his strategic goal of complete subjugation of Ukraine and his desire to regain control over part of the former Soviet Union. At the same time, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard publicly denied these assessments.
In recent weeks, negotiations involving the US have focused primarily on security guarantees for Ukraine after a possible end to the war — in particular, to prevent a repeat invasion by Russia. According to sources, the American side insists on territorial concessions from Ukraine, including the surrender of part of Donbas.
The negotiation process and the role of the US
Ukrainian officials participated in consultations led on behalf of the US by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. At the same time, a number of European officials are skeptical about Moscow’s willingness to implement the agreements, even if they are agreed upon by Kyiv, Washington, and the EU.
Trump also commented on Bloomberg’s report about a possible trip by American negotiators to Moscow, saying that he had no confirmed information about such plans.
Possible meeting in Davos
When asked if he would meet with Zelensky during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump responded evasively:
“I will meet with him if he is there. I will be there.”
However, the US president did not specify whether such a meeting was being officially prepared.
Ukraine’s position
President Zelensky has previously stated publicly that Ukraine cannot make territorial concessions to Russia. According to him, the Ukrainian Constitution does not allow the country to give up any part of its territory, regardless of international pressure or the format of negotiations.
