Donald Trump has warned Volodymyr Zelensky that delaying a peace agreement with Russia could leave Ukraine facing increasingly unfavourable terms…reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump has warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that delaying a peace agreement with Russia could leave Kyiv facing increasingly unfavourable terms, arguing that Moscow is steadily gaining territory and Ukraine is suffering mounting casualties. Trump said Zelensky must be willing to negotiate, suggesting that an agreement available earlier in the conflict may no longer be achievable.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance, Trump cited Russia’s military strength and larger population as advantages in the prolonged war. He also indicated that his administration was continuing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with special envoy Steve Witkoff preparing to travel to Russia following discussions in Oslo.
“Russia’s a big machine. They just keep grinding forward, and that’s what they’ve done,” Trump said.
He claimed Russian forces were continuing to capture Ukrainian territory, warning that the balance on the battlefield was becoming increasingly difficult for Kyiv.
“They’ve taken a very large piece of land. And, you know, you can say that Ukraine is doing well or poorly, but the land gets bigger and bigger all the time, week by week,” he said.
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Trump did not provide independently verified territorial data to support his assessment of Russian advances.
The US President argued that Ukraine needed to consider a negotiated settlement, pointing to the demographic challenges of sustaining a prolonged war against Russia. He acknowledged that both countries had suffered substantial casualties but maintained that Ukraine faced greater constraints because of its smaller population.
“Ukraine has to want to settle this war. Zelensky has to want to settle this war. And if he doesn’t, I think it’s going to be a very bad thing,” Trump said.
Trump also suggested that Zelensky had missed an opportunity to secure more favourable terms during earlier discussions with the US administration.
Referring to a previous confrontation in the Oval Office involving Zelensky and Vance, Trump said the Ukrainian leader could have reached a better agreement at the time.
“Could have made a good deal then. Could have made a much better deal then probably, possibly, that he can make now,” Trump said.
His comments underline his continued pressure on Kyiv to pursue negotiations as Washington seeks a way to bring the war to an end.
Trump renewed his criticism of American financial and military assistance to Ukraine, claiming Washington had spent hundreds of billions of dollars supporting Kyiv without receiving sufficient returns. He acknowledged arrangements involving Ukrainian land and rare-earth resources but argued that the United States had borne a substantial financial burden.
The President also said European governments were becoming tired of the costs associated with supporting Ukraine.
Trump estimated that Russia and Ukraine had together lost 32,000 people during the previous month, describing most of the casualties as soldiers. The figure was presented as his assessment and was not independently verified.
He cited the continuing loss of life as a central reason for his efforts to secure a settlement.
“I thought — you know, I settled eight wars. I thought that would be the easiest one,” he said.
Trump attributed the difficulty of reaching an agreement partly to the personal hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky.
“The hatred between President Putin and President Zelensky is tremendous. I think that’s most of the reason they haven’t been able to make a deal, actually,” he said.
Asked whether the two leaders would need to meet in person to conclude an agreement, Trump said a face-to-face meeting was not essential.
“They don’t have to be in the same room; I guess I can do it another way,” he said.
He did not elaborate on the alternative diplomatic arrangement he had in mind.
Trump raises American prisoner’s case with Putin
In a separate development, Trump disclosed that he had personally discussed the release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard with Putin.
“I’ve been talking to President Putin about Mr. Hubbard,” Trump said.
“I’ve been talking to him at length. I’ve asked him to release him, let’s see what happens,” he added.
Trump did not confirm whether an agreement was imminent but suggested there could be developments within days.
“I’d love to get him back. It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back,” he said.
The remarks indicated that the administration was pursuing Hubbard’s release through direct engagement with Moscow. However, no agreement or specific timetable was announced.
The diplomatic efforts come as Trump continues to press for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, arguing that further delays could weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position and prolong the conflict.
