Trump calls Zelensky an unwanted partner for peace negotiations

US leader criticises Kyiv over position in peace process

US President Donald Trump reiterated his thesis that it is difficult to act in the context of an agreement to cease attacks from Russian refineries with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. In his view, it is easier to reach an agreement with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. These comments were made during a conversation discussing events that began on 15 October, when Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Reaction to resumption of attacks on Russian infrastructure

The host noted that, in his opinion, Trump had previously asked Zelensky to refrain from such actions. The American president confirmed that he had indeed made such requests, but added that Volodymyr Zelensky is "not the kind of person to deal with" (не та людина, з якою варто мати справу). Trump claimed that the President of Ukraine allegedly does not want to make a deal.

«Просив, просив. Зеленський — не та людина, з якою нам варто мати справу… Думаю, якщо вони зрештою збираються укласти якусь угоду, то не зроблять цього з ним. Він не хоче домовлятися. Він каже, що хоче домовитися, але насправді не хоче. Ні, я не є великим прихильником Зеленського. Вони зруйнували країну» (I asked, I asked. Zelensky is not the kind of person we should deal with... I think if they eventually intend to make some deal, they will not do it with him. He does not want to make a deal. He says he wants to make a deal, but he actually does not. No, I am not a big fan of Zelensky. They destroyed the country), the US president stated.

Assessment of the course of the war and losses

Trump then again referred to his hypothetical role as president in 2020, claiming that under his leadership the conflict would not have started. He also repeated his view on the existing hatred between Zelensky and Putin, which, in his belief, hinders peace processes.

According to the American leader, Russia's war against Ukraine was supposed to be "very short" (дуже короткою). However, in his opinion, the offensive on Kyiv stopped because some general did not turn the column onto a country road in time, as a result of which Russian tanks got stuck in the mud.

«Так що їм, я вважаю, пощастило - хоча, чесно кажучи, не знаю, чи можна назвати це везінням чи ні, адже минуло вже п’ять років, а Україна втратила величезну кількість. Знаєте, Україна втратила так багато своїх чоловіків. Росія теж, але Росія - величезна країна. У Росії мільйони людей, 150 мільйонів чоловік» (So I think they got lucky - although, honestly, I do not know if you can call it luck or not, since five years have already passed and Ukraine has lost a huge number. You know, Ukraine has lost so many of its men. Russia has too, but Russia is a huge country. Russia has millions of people, 150 million people), Trump added.

Forecast regarding the end of the conflict

In response to a question about whether the war would end before the end of his presidential term, Donald Trump answered that it would happen soon.

«Вона має скоро закінчитися. Думаю, насправді обидві сторони хотіли б, щоб вона закінчилася. Але мені здається, що із Зеленським домовитися складніше, ніж із Путіним» (It should end soon. I think actually both sides would like it to end. But I find it harder to make a deal with Zelensky than with Putin), the US president summarised.