U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he continues to engage in regular discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
During a recent conversation, Trump was asked about the status of his communications with Putin. He acknowledged that while Washington is striving for progress, hostilities persist. He described the animosity between Putin and Zelensky as ‘madness,’ emphasizing that such hatred complicates peace efforts.
“The hatred between President Putin and President Zelensky is absurd. It’s madness. Hatred is a bad thing when you’re trying to settle something. But it will happen,” Trump stated.
When pressed for details about his last conversation with Putin, Trump indicated that he frequently communicates with leaders from both sides of the conflict. “I don’t want to disclose this, but I do talk to him (Putin), and I also speak with President Zelensky… We are working on the situation with Russia and Ukraine. And I hope we achieve a result,” he added.
Trump reiterated his belief that he has successfully ended eight wars and expressed optimism that the conflict in Ukraine could be resolved relatively easily.
In early 2026, trilateral meetings involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia were reportedly taking place, aimed at bringing the war to a close. Although many issues were discussed, significant disagreements remained, particularly regarding the Donbas region. However, the onset of military actions by the U.S. and Israel in Iran effectively stalled the negotiation process concerning Ukraine.
Recently, The New York Times reported that neither Ukraine nor Russia has a clear plan for achieving peace or victory. This comes at a time when Trump and his administration are focusing on the situation in Iran. Without active U.S. involvement and pressure on Russia, the likelihood of reaching an agreement appears slim.
Notably, a few weeks ago, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, mentioned that peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow were progressing towards a potential agreement, suggesting that resolving the conflict in Ukraine might not take much longer.
President Trump has confirmed ongoing discussions with Putin and Zelensky aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. Despite efforts, hostilities continue, and the path to peace remains uncertain.