Trump Warns Putin May Not Want to Cut a Deal on Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped Russia’s Vladimir Putin would move toward ending the war in Ukraine but admitted the Kremlin leader may not want a deal at all—something Trump suggested would create a “rough situation” for Putin, Andrea Shalal, Tom Balmforth and Anastasiia Malenko reported for Reuters.

Zelensky, joined by leaders from Germany, France, and Britain, showed a notably warm rapport with Trump—contrasting sharply with their contentious Oval Office encounter in February. (Photo: The White House Facebook)

Trump said he expected Putin’s intentions to become clear in the next couple of weeks.

He again ruled out American boots on the ground and gave no details on the security guarantees Washington could offer Kyiv under any post-war settlement.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem (reaching a peace deal), to be honest with you. I think Putin is tired of it. I think they’re all tired of it, but you never know,” Trump said.

Ukraine and its European allies were encouraged by Trump’s promises of security guarantees at Monday’s extraordinary White House summit but left with many unanswered questions—including how willing Russia will be to cooperate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the talks as a “major step forward” toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in 80 years and toward arranging a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin in the coming weeks.

Zelensky, joined by leaders from Germany, France, and Britain, showed a notably warm rapport with Trump—contrasting sharply with their contentious Oval Office encounter in February.