Trump Calls Out Putin and Zelenskyy in Push for Peace
Former President Donald Trump is facing mounting challenges as he attempts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and recently expressed frustration with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump, who has long touted his ability to mediate peace, highlighted the deep animosity between the two leaders, which could impede the swift resolution he once promised during his campaign.
In an early Sunday interview with NBC News from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump acknowledged the difficulties in negotiating peace as “tremendous hatred” exists between Putin and Zelenskyy. Despite his claims of making “a lot of progress,” Trump noted that the road to ending the war might not be as quick as anticipated, with both leaders entrenched in their positions.
One of Trump’s major points of contention was Putin’s recent comments questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as a leader capable of signing a peace deal. Putin suggested that Ukraine may need external governance, casting doubt on Zelenskyy’s authority. Trump expressed his anger over this, saying he was “pissed off” by Putin’s stance. This marks a rare instance where Trump has openly criticized Putin, given their historically cordial relationship.
Trump also hinted at increasing sanctions on Russia and potentially using tariffs to hurt Russian oil exports. Despite previously advocating for strong ties with Putin, Trump’s frustrations with the Russian leader were clear, though he softened his tone later in the conversation, saying he didn’t think Putin would “go back on his word,” reflecting his long-term familiarity with the Russian president.
Alongside his frustrations with Putin, Trump didn’t hold back when addressing Zelenskyy. He accused the Ukrainian president of trying to back out of a deal regarding critical rare earth minerals in Ukraine, a deal that was supposed to be signed when Zelenskyy visited the White House. According to Trump, this could spell “big, big problems” for Zelenskyy if the agreement falls apart. Tension between the two leaders had already been palpable during Zelenskyy’s White House visit, where their meeting ended in visible acrimony.
Trump also reiterated his stance on NATO, suggesting Zelenskyy’s desire for NATO membership was unrealistic and would never come to fruition. Trump framed this desire as a misstep, adding that Zelenskyy understood that Ukraine would not be part of the NATO alliance. This reflects Trump’s consistent position that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was not feasible, despite Zelenskyy’s repeated calls for stronger security guarantees.
The United States has been working toward a ceasefire agreement to end the conflict that has now stretched into its third year. While there has been international pressure on Ukraine to engage in negotiations, Russia has already rejected a U.S. proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire, complicating the efforts to reach a resolution. Further challenges have arisen from Russia’s strict conditions for any ceasefire agreement, particularly surrounding the Black Sea.
Trump’s recent criticisms of both Putin and Zelenskyy underscore the complex nature of the ongoing war. As he pushes for peace, his approach highlights the deep divisions between the two leaders and the difficulty of reconciling their positions. The international community is closely watching, hoping that Trump’s push for peace might still lead to a breakthrough—but with the growing tensions, the path to peace remains uncertain.
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