Trump asserts dealing with Russia is 'easier' compared to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has commented that it is easier to engage with Russia than with Ukraine.
TroibNews 
Negotiations with Kiev have been “more difficult,” the US president has said
US President Donald Trump has expressed that he finds negotiations with Ukraine more challenging than those with Russia as he tries to mediate a ceasefire between the two nations. This follows a tense exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office.
In a press briefing on Friday, when a reporter inquired about recent Russian attacks in Ukraine and whether Trump still trusts President Vladimir Putin's claims of wanting peace, Trump responded affirmatively. “I believe him. I think we’re doing very well with Russia,” he stated.
He continued, “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards." Trump also noted, “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising because they have all the cards.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump mentioned he is “strongly considering” implementing further sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and “final settlement agreement on peace” is established. He urged, “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
In a recent development, Trump paused all weapons deliveries and limited intelligence sharing with Kiev. This decision followed a public dispute between Trump and Zelensky in the White House, reflecting ongoing disagreements regarding ceasefire negotiations and security guarantees.
Thus far, Trump has rejected Zelensky’s requests for specific guarantees for Ukraine and has dismissed the idea of NATO membership for the country. He has also declined to deploy American troops for a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
After a particularly contentious meeting on February 28, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and undermining his efforts to resolve the conflict. However, on Tuesday, he revealed that Zelensky had sent him a letter indicating his willingness “to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
American and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia early next week. Last month, the US conducted bilateral talks with Russia in Riyadh and Istanbul, marking the first high-level meetings since the Biden administration imposed diplomatic isolation on Moscow in 2022.
On Tuesday, Zelensky proposed a partial truce and a prisoner swap as an initial phase of negotiations, a suggestion that was later echoed by France.
Russia has consistently maintained that Ukraine and the West must confront the underlying causes of the conflict, including NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s ambitions to join the US-led military alliance. Additionally, Moscow demands that Kiev renounce its claims on Crimea and four other regions that have opted to join Russia.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump has expressed that he finds negotiations with Ukraine more challenging than those with Russia as he tries to mediate a ceasefire between the two nations. This follows a tense exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office.
In a press briefing on Friday, when a reporter inquired about recent Russian attacks in Ukraine and whether Trump still trusts President Vladimir Putin's claims of wanting peace, Trump responded affirmatively. “I believe him. I think we’re doing very well with Russia,” he stated.
He continued, “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards." Trump also noted, “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising because they have all the cards.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump mentioned he is “strongly considering” implementing further sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and “final settlement agreement on peace” is established. He urged, “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
In a recent development, Trump paused all weapons deliveries and limited intelligence sharing with Kiev. This decision followed a public dispute between Trump and Zelensky in the White House, reflecting ongoing disagreements regarding ceasefire negotiations and security guarantees.
Thus far, Trump has rejected Zelensky’s requests for specific guarantees for Ukraine and has dismissed the idea of NATO membership for the country. He has also declined to deploy American troops for a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
After a particularly contentious meeting on February 28, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and undermining his efforts to resolve the conflict. However, on Tuesday, he revealed that Zelensky had sent him a letter indicating his willingness “to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
American and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia early next week. Last month, the US conducted bilateral talks with Russia in Riyadh and Istanbul, marking the first high-level meetings since the Biden administration imposed diplomatic isolation on Moscow in 2022.
On Tuesday, Zelensky proposed a partial truce and a prisoner swap as an initial phase of negotiations, a suggestion that was later echoed by France.
Russia has consistently maintained that Ukraine and the West must confront the underlying causes of the conflict, including NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s ambitions to join the US-led military alliance. Additionally, Moscow demands that Kiev renounce its claims on Crimea and four other regions that have opted to join Russia.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
