The US president stated that negotiating with Kiev has proven “more difficult.”
President Trump stated that he finds engaging with Russia easier than with Ukraine, as he aims to facilitate a ceasefire between the two nations. This follows a previous instance where he criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky in the Oval Office.
During a press interaction on Friday, Trump was questioned about recent Russian strikes in Ukraine, with a reporter asking, “Do you still believe [President Vladimir Putin] when he tells you that he wants peace?”
“I believe him. I think we’re going very well with Russia,” the president responded.
“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump added. “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising because they have all the cards,” he commented.
Trump had previously mentioned on his Truth Social platform that he was “strongly considering” imposing further sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and a “final settlement agreement on peace” are achieved.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late,” he posted.
Earlier in the week, Trump suspended all weapons deliveries and restricted intelligence sharing with Kiev. This action followed a public disagreement between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, highlighting ongoing differences regarding ceasefire conditions and security assurances.
Trump has thus far declined Zelensky’s requests for specific assurances to Ukraine and has dismissed the possibility of NATO membership for the country. He has also refused to commit American troops to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
Following a tense meeting on February 28, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and of undermining his efforts to resolve the conflict. On Tuesday, the president mentioned that Zelensky had sent him a letter expressing his readiness “to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
American and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia early next week. Last month, the US held bilateral discussions with Russia in Riyadh and Istanbul, marking the first high-level bilateral meetings since the Biden administration severed relations with Moscow in 2022 as part of its diplomatic isolation strategy.
On Tuesday, Zelensky proposed a partial truce and an exchange of prisoners as an initial step in negotiations. A similar proposal was later presented by France.
Russia has consistently maintained that Ukraine and the West must address the underlying causes of the conflict, including Moscow’s concerns about NATO expansion. Russia is demanding that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join the US-led military alliance and adopt a neutral status. Moscow also insists that Ukraine relinquish its claims to Crimea and four other regions that have voted to become part of Russia.