US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, stating that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want the conflict resolved. Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara during a NATO summit on Tuesday, Trump said he had a "very good talk" with Putin a day earlier and also spoke with Zelenskyy.
Trump's Remarks on Peace Prospects
"I think they both want to make a deal. It's too bad it took so long, but I think there's going to be — something's going to come out," Trump said, as reported by CNN. "They (Putin and Zelenskyy) both wanna get it settled now... I think we're going to get it settled. Hopefully soon," he added.
When asked whether anything had changed to make him more optimistic, including whether Putin was willing to make concessions, Trump replied, "Never changed." He emphasized his desire to stop the violence, stating, "I just don't want them killing people," referring to the ongoing war and the reported monthly death toll.
Conflict's Impact on Europe vs. US
Trump also commented on the geographical impact of the conflict, saying, "It doesn't affect us. It affects Europe much more. We're there to help Europe, but it doesn't affect the United States. We have an ocean in between. But, you know, it's just I can't stand watching what's happening." He described the battlefield violence as severe, noting, "People wouldn't believe how violent it is. I've never seen anything like it. It's carnage, and it should stop."
Zelenskyy Urges European Allies on Missile Defence
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European allies to prioritize the production of anti-ballistic missile systems, stressing the need for Europe to strengthen its defences against Russia's missile capabilities. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelenskyy said, "The one thing we still need to do here in Europe is build a strong defence against Russia's ballistic missiles. It's a big challenge; this is Russia's last major advantage."
Zelenskyy described the threat from Russia's ballistic missiles, which have repeatedly struck Kyiv and killed civilians since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, as a global issue. He appealed for closer cooperation with European partners, stating, "We already see each other as reliable partners, and it would be only natural to become a part of one common security community."
