Trump says Putin wants Ukraine deal

Washington, DC [US]: US President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen on securing a peace deal to halt the war in Ukraine, but maintained that the lack of progress is primarily due to the deep-seated animosity between the two leaders. During a press conference prior to attending a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, Trump shared details of a recent telephone conversation with Putin, indicating optimism about the prospects for diplomatic resolution.

Trump characterized Putin as open to negotiation while emphasizing that the success of any talks hinges on both leaders' willingness to engage. Following the call, Trump declared, "He is wanting to make a deal, and if Zelenskyy is wanting to make a deal, that would be very nice." He further attributed the impasse to "two people that hate each other," suggesting that the hostility between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands as the primary barrier to diplomacy.

Despite these tensions, Trump expressed confidence in his negotiation skills, stating, "I think that because I speak to people, that's all I do is speak to people my whole life. I know about deals, and these are two people that are tired of fighting." When asked about potential high-level direct negotiations involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy, Trump indicated that such discussions remain within the realm of possibility, noting, "It could happen."

He also noted the grim toll of the conflict, stating, "Too many people are dying in that war. 25,000 last month." TASS reported that Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin and Trump discussed adjustments to the US negotiating team during their conversation. Peskov dismissed reports of a cancelled meeting between Putin and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, stating that no such meeting had ever been scheduled.

Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President's son-in-law Jared Kushner had visited Kyiv, where they advocated for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Though no significant breakthroughs were reported, Witkoff expressed confidence in the upcoming resolution, crediting their relationship-focused approach as the key to success.