Trump Claims Putin Seeks Ukraine War End, Says Zelenskyy Wants Conflict to Continue

US President Donald Trump has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, saying he wants to bring the conflict to an end rather than see it continue for another decade.

Speaking after his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to end the war, while accusing the Ukrainian leader of seeking to continue the fighting. “We had a meeting with Zelensky today, and it didn’t go great, from his standpoint. I think he very much overplayed his hand. I’m looking for peace, not a 10-year war,” Trump said.

Trump added that his administration was focused on ending the bloodshed, claiming that around 2,000 people had been killed in the previous week. He said he did not want the conflict to continue indefinitely.

TRUMP HIGHLIGHTS DAMAGE TO RUSSIA’S ENERGY SECTOR

Trump also pointed to the impact of the war on Russia’s energy infrastructure, claiming that Ukrainian attacks had damaged a large number of Russian diesel refineries. “A large number of their diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission,” Trump said in an earlier post on Truth Social.

He again called for an end to the conflict, arguing that the war was imposing costs beyond Russia and Ukraine.

ZELENSKYY SEES ‘DIPLOMATIC MOMENTUM’

Zelenskyy offered a more positive assessment of his engagement with Trump, saying the two leaders had agreed to meet in New York. The Ukrainian president said the meeting could “change a lot” and described the current situation as one of “diplomatic momentum”.

Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for the recent visit to Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to Zelenskyy, the discussions covered the situation on the battlefield as well as possible steps towards de-escalation.

“The peace track is our number one priority,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the discussions included energy security, food security and measures to protect human life.

US PUSH FOR NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUES

The latest exchange comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to promote negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to take “really serious steps” towards peace and thanked Trump for his continued engagement.

The two sides, however, continue to differ over key issues surrounding the war and any potential settlement. While Trump is pressing for an end to the fighting, Russia and Ukraine have yet to reach agreement on the terms of a lasting peace.