Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that delaying a peace agreement with Russia could leave Ukraine in a weaker position. He argued that Russian forces were continuing to gain ground and that Kyiv might struggle to secure better terms if the war dragged on.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance. He pointed to Russia’s military strength and the mounting casualties on both sides as reasons for Ukraine to consider a negotiated settlement.
“Russia’s a big machine. They just keep grinding forward, and that’s what they’ve done,” Trump said.
He claimed that Russian forces were capturing more Ukrainian territory and that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult for Kyiv. Trump said the land under Russian control was growing week by week. However, his assessment of territorial changes was not accompanied by independently verified data.
Trump Says Ukraine Could Lose Chance for Better Peace Terms
Trump argued that Russia’s larger population gave Moscow an advantage in sustaining a prolonged conflict. He acknowledged the heavy losses suffered by both countries but said Ukraine faced greater demographic challenges.
“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,” the US President said.
He also suggested that Zelensky had missed an opportunity to secure more favourable terms during earlier discussions with Washington. Referring to a previous confrontation involving the Ukrainian leader, Trump and Vance in the Oval Office, he said Kyiv could have reached a better agreement at that 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.
The President also criticised the scale of US financial and military assistance to Ukraine. He said Washington had spent hundreds of billions of dollars supporting Kyiv while receiving little in return. He acknowledged, however, arrangements involving Ukrainian land and rare-earth resources.
Trump further claimed that European governments were becoming tired of the financial burden associated with supporting Ukraine.
Trump Cites Casualties as He Pushes for Settlement
The US President estimated that Russia and Ukraine had together lost 32,000 people during the previous month, with most of the casualties being soldiers. The figure reflected Trump’s assessment and was not independently verified in the remarks.
He said the continuing loss of life was a major reason he wanted the conflict to end.
“I thought — you know, I settled eight wars. I thought that would be the easiest one,” Trump said.
Trump also pointed to the personal hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky as a major obstacle to a peace agreement.
“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 face to face to reach an agreement, Trump said such a meeting was not essential.
“They don’t have to be in the same room; I guess I can do it another way,” he said, without explaining what alternative diplomatic arrangement he had in mind.
His comments came as US special envoy Steve Witkoff prepared to travel to Russia following diplomatic discussions in Oslo aimed at advancing efforts to end the war.
Trump Raises American Prisoner’s Case with Putin
In a separate development, Trump said he had discussed the release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard directly with Putin. He indicated that the issue had been raised at length but did not confirm whether an agreement was close.
“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 said he wanted Hubbard to return home and suggested that there could be developments within days. However, he did not announce a confirmed release date or any formal agreement with Moscow.
“I’d love to get him back. It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back,” he said.
The remarks highlighted the administration’s continued engagement with Moscow on both the war in Ukraine and the American prisoner’s case. However, no concrete breakthrough in either matter was announced.