Trump: Putin not a barrier to Ukraine peace talks
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a Fox News town hall event that he does not view Russian President Vladimir Putin as a roadblock to peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
Recalling a tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his presidency, Trump criticized Zelensky’s position, saying, “He didn’t have much because it was all going to Russia.”
Trump claimed that Russian forces could have captured Kyiv “in one day,” arguing that the invasion faltered only because Russian tanks got stuck in the mud. He also described Putin as being “tired” of the war, suggesting this fatigue could facilitate a negotiated resolution.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has played down the likelihood of an imminent summit with Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said such a meeting must be well-prepared and deliver concrete results. He emphasized that a summit would only be possible after both sides have drafted a clear agreement.
According to Reuters, Russia is preparing a detailed list of ceasefire terms to present to Ukraine. This follows earlier proposals discussed in Istanbul, where Russia reportedly made concessions—such as withdrawing to pre-invasion positions—if Ukraine agreed to neutrality and limitations on its military forces.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
