Trump says Zelensky is holding up Russia-Ukraine peace deal

"I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal," President Trump said

Published: January 15, 2026 9:46am

President Trump said Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding up a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, not Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I think he's ready to make a deal," Trump told Reuters regarding Putin. "I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal."

When asked why negotiations led by the U.S. have not yet resolved the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said, "Zelensky."

In recent weeks, negotiations have focused on security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine to ensure that Russia does not invade it again after a peace deal. U.S. negotiators have also pushed Ukraine to abandon its eastern Donbas region as part of a peace deal.

When Trump was asked if he would meet Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week, he said, "I would — if he's there. I'm going to be there."

Regarding why Zelensky was holding up negotiations, Trump said, "I just think he's, you know, having a hard time getting there."

Zelensky has publicly said that Ukraine won't make any territorial concessions to Russia, explaining that there is no right under his country's constitution to give up any land.

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