Trump blames stalled Ukraine peace talks on Zelensky's refusal to give "eager" Putin everything he demands
Trump Says His Humiliating Peace Plan Failures Are All One Person’s Fault
WAR GOES ON
Trump placed the blame squarely on Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Martha McHardy Reporter
Published Jan. 15 2026 6:11AM EST
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-blames-his-humiliating-peace-plan-failures-are-all-one-persons-fault/
Asked why U.S.-led peace talks have stalled, Trump blamed the victim of the invasion, claiming it was the Ukrainian leader’s fault. Asked directly what was standing in the way, he gave a one-word answer to Reuters: “Zelensky.”
At the same time, Trump argued that Moscow is prepared to conclude the conflict, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to bring the nearly four-year invasion to a close. “I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said, adding, “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.”
On Thursday, the Kremlin said they agree with Trump’s remarks, which are in contrast to those of European allies, who have long maintained that Moscow is not genuinely interested in ending the conflict, instead aiming to seize additional territory while avoiding new Western sanctions.
Trump, who previously said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in a day” if he won a second term, has frequently clashed with Zelensky over the past year.