Former President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to see Ukraine and Russia reach a peace agreement independently of U.S. involvement. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, Trump indicated that he would not oppose a resolution between the two nations.
When asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin should meet in person before the U.S. resumes its role as a mediator, Trump stated,
“Well, I’m not against it. Let them make a deal. I think we are getting to the point where the issues between Russia and Ukraine need to be resolved.”
Trump reiterated his belief that the ongoing conflict is one that should never have occurred, asserting that it would not have escalated had he been in office during 2022.
On June 4, Zelensky published an open letter to Putin, proposing a meeting to discuss ending the war. In response, Putin remarked that he currently sees no point in meeting with the Ukrainian leader. Previously, the Kremlin had stated that any meeting with Zelensky should be conclusive and focused on signing a peace agreement, rather than negotiating the terms of the conflict initiated by Russia.
Additionally, Trump mentioned that U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Ukraine around the transition from spring to summer. Both are part of the American delegation acting as intermediaries in discussions between Kyiv and Moscow aimed at finding a resolution to the war.
On May 22, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Washington’s readiness to continue facilitating negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, provided there is an opportunity for a constructive and productive dialogue.
Donald Trump has indicated he supports Ukraine and Russia reaching a peace agreement without U.S. mediation. This statement follows recent communications between the leaders of both nations regarding a potential meeting to end the conflict.