‘Zelensky and Putin Ready’ – Trump Hints at Breakthrough in Ukraine War Talks

US President Donald Trump claimed that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are ready to strike a deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Washington, D.C. to Miami, he said:

“I think he [Zelensky] is ready to make a deal. And I think that President Putin is ready to make a deal, and then you will stop the killing of thousands of young people a week.”

Trump said he had spoken with Zelensky “not too long ago,” and said that the US wants to see an end to the war as soon as possible.

“There’s a lot of progress,” he added, referring to ongoing discussions around a possible resolution.

When asked about Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev meeting with Trump administration figures in Washington, the US president declined to comment on the results of the meetings.

“I’ll just tell you that there’s a lot of good conversations going on about Ukraine, Russia,” Trump said.

Dmitriev on Thursday confirmed that he met with Trump administration officials in Washington on April 2-3. According to him, the potential restoration of direct flights between Russia and the US was one of the topics discussed.

Top Trump advisers have urged Trump not to call Putin until Russia agrees to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported. Despite this, Trump may still reach out, though no call is currently scheduled.

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Trump said on March 30 that he planned to speak with Putin, but no such conversation has been confirmed.

Since returning to office, Trump and Putin have reportedly spoken twice – on Feb. 12 and March 18. The second call lasted two hours and led to agreement on a 30-day “pause” in strikes on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine that didn’t happen.

Sources say Trump is “frustrated” with Putin over delays in ceasefire negotiations and may respond with stricter sanctions enforcement. He has also warned of a potential 25% tariff on Russian oil if progress isn’t made within a month.

Reuters reports the Trump administration is not expecting a peace deal soon and is preparing new pressure tactics for both Moscow and Kyiv.