President Trump declared Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more interested in reaching a peace agreement than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, intensifying his criticism of the Ukrainian leader as Washington attempts to negotiate an end to the war.
Speaking with reporters outside the White House before departing for a campaign rally in Ohio, Trump expressed frustration with both countries over their inability to reach a settlement. The president argued that continued fighting was costing thousands of lives and insisted that the two leaders must find a way to end the conflict.
“I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky,” Trump told reporters, suggesting that the Russian leader has demonstrated a greater willingness to negotiate.
Trump maintained that both countries ultimately want an agreement but have struggled to reach acceptable terms. He expressed confidence that his administration could bring the two sides together despite the disagreements that have repeatedly complicated peace negotiations.
“I think they want to make a deal, but they don’t know how. But we’re going to get them to make a deal,” the president said.
The remarks came one day after Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire involving attacks on energy infrastructure. The proposed arrangement was intended to prevent further strikes against power plants, oil refineries, natural gas facilities and other critical energy targets.
However, the agreement was already facing questions Monday after Zelensky accused Russian forces of continuing attacks against Ukrainian energy facilities.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland, Zelensky said Moscow had targeted a power plant in Kharkiv, a natural gas production facility and a civilian gas station within hours of Trump’s announcement.
The Ukrainian president said his country had refrained from attacking Russian energy facilities since the proposed ceasefire was announced. He maintained that Kyiv was prepared to honor a reciprocal agreement but questioned whether Putin intended to do the same.
Trump dismissed suggestions that Russia alone was responsible for undermining the arrangement. He argued that violations had occurred on both sides and reiterated his belief that the agreement could help create momentum toward a broader peace settlement.
The president also suggested that his personal intervention had been responsible for securing the initial commitments from Moscow and Kyiv.
“They agreed because I said they agreed, and that thing has to get settled,” Trump told reporters.
Despite Trump’s insistence, the precise terms of the energy ceasefire remained unclear. Neither government had publicly released a detailed agreement establishing its duration, monitoring procedures or consequences for violations.
The Kremlin has acknowledged discussions about reducing attacks on energy infrastructure but has not provided the same level of confirmation that Trump offered when announcing the arrangement.
Trump used Monday’s remarks to emphasize the human cost of the conflict, claiming that approximately 32,000 people had been killed during the past month. The figure was presented by the president and was not independently verified.
The president described the continuing bloodshed as unacceptable and urged Putin and Zelensky to move beyond their differences.
“All I know is that Zelensky and Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war,” Trump said.
The latest comments follow several days of increasingly sharp disagreements between Trump and Zelensky over Ukraine’s military strategy and the administration’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
On Friday, Trump announced an agreement with Putin that would allow substantial quantities of Russian diesel to enter American and international markets. The administration presented the arrangement as an effort to increase global fuel supplies and address rising energy prices.
Diesel costs have climbed amid disruptions associated with the continuing conflict involving Iran and instability in international energy markets. Trump has argued that increasing fuel availability is essential to reducing financial pressure on American businesses, farmers and consumers.
Zelensky strongly criticized the Russian diesel arrangement, warning that additional energy revenue could strengthen Moscow’s ability to finance its military operations against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader also defended his country’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, describing them as legitimate military operations intended to weaken Russia’s war effort.
Trump responded by accusing Zelensky of contributing to higher global fuel prices and refusing opportunities to negotiate an end to the fighting.
Over the weekend, the president went further by suggesting that Ukraine should replace Zelensky and hold a new presidential election.
Trump argued that the Ukrainian leader could have secured a more favorable peace agreement earlier in the conflict and questioned why he had not pursued a settlement.
Zelensky rejected the suggestion that an American president should determine Ukraine’s leadership, emphasizing that Ukrainians alone have the authority to choose their elected officials.
During a Sunday interview, Zelensky said he would be willing to organize presidential elections if Russia agreed to a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire that would allow voting to take place safely.
Ukraine has postponed national elections under martial law, which has remained in effect since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian officials have argued that conducting a nationwide vote during ongoing missile and drone attacks would create major security and logistical challenges.
The Kremlin rejected Zelensky’s proposed 60-day ceasefire on Monday. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was interested in securing a lasting peace agreement rather than temporarily suspending military operations.
Peskov maintained that Putin wanted a comprehensive settlement capable of resolving the conflict’s underlying disputes. However, Russia has continued demanding concessions that Ukraine considers unacceptable, including conditions affecting Ukrainian territory and sovereignty.
The disagreement highlights the obstacles facing Trump’s diplomatic efforts. Moscow and Kyiv remain divided over territorial control, security guarantees and the conditions necessary to prevent renewed fighting.
Trump has increasingly framed the conflict as one that could be resolved through direct negotiations between the two presidents. He has repeatedly argued that the war should never have started and that an agreement could have prevented much of the destruction.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has insisted that Ukraine wants peace but cannot accept an arrangement that leaves the country vulnerable to another Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian government has called for stronger international pressure on Moscow, arguing that economic sanctions and continued military assistance are necessary to persuade Russia to negotiate seriously.
Trump’s latest statements suggest that the administration intends to continue pressing Zelensky while maintaining direct communication with Putin.
The president has also made clear that he considers stabilizing international energy markets an important part of his broader diplomatic strategy, particularly as rising fuel prices affect the American economy.
For now, the proposed energy ceasefire remains uncertain, with Ukraine reporting additional Russian attacks and Moscow declining to endorse a temporary halt to the broader conflict.
Trump nevertheless maintains that a negotiated settlement is achievable and that both leaders must ultimately accept responsibility for ending the fighting.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the president’s assertion that Putin is more willing to negotiate than Zelensky marks another significant moment in Washington’s increasingly contentious relationship with Kyiv. Whether the administration can translate its pressure on both governments into a lasting agreement remains unresolved.
The post Trump Says Putin Wants Peace Deal More Than Zelensky as Ukraine War Continues Despite Energy Ceasefire Agreement appeared first on Real News Now.
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