President Trump said Wednesday he still believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to reach a peace deal over Ukraine, hours after Putin declared he would not negotiate with Ukraine’s leadership.
Trump made the remarks while taking questions in the Oval Office during a meeting with travel industry executives, including representatives from American Airlines, Marriott, MGM Resorts and Carnival, that was originally focused on boosting international travel to the United States.
Asked by Townhall Media’s Cameron Arcand whether Putin’s statement — in which the Russian leader said he would not negotiate with Ukraine because he considers its leaders terrorists — concerned him, Trump defended his read on the Russian president’s intentions.
“Well, I think he wants to make a deal. I’ve said that. I think he wants to make a deal. But, you know, sometimes people say things for negotiation. I know him very well. I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump said.
When Arcand pressed further, noting that Putin specifically said he would not negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump did not back off his position.
“We’ll see what happens. We’re going to find out. I think you’re going to know pretty soon,” he said.
Asked separately whether he would hold a summit with Putin soon, Trump said, “I want to do it when we’re ready to do a peace deal.”
Trump’s optimism comes as Russia enters its seventh straight day of drone attacks on Kyiv. Putin has claimed his forces are gaining ground and has signaled Moscow intends to keep striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches. Russia has also continued deepening ties with Iran, even as the United States remains in a separate military standoff with Tehran.
Trump said an answer on whether Putin genuinely wants peace would come “pretty soon.” Given the current pace of Russian strikes and Moscow’s continued alignment with Iran, that answer may arrive sooner rather than later.
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