Washington, October 2026 : US President Donald Trump has said Russian President Vladimir Putin appears more willing than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reach a peace agreement, while questions remain over Russia’s alleged violations of a proposed ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure.
“I think, actually, Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky,” Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for a political rally in Ohio.
His remarks came amid continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine and uncertainty over whether Moscow had formally accepted his proposal to halt strikes on energy facilities. The proposed arrangement is intended to help reduce attacks on critical infrastructure as efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict continue.
When asked whether Russia and Ukraine had agreed to the initiative, Trump maintained that both sides supported it, despite a reporter pointing out that Putin had not publicly committed to the proposed ceasefire.
“I think they both support it. I think they want to make a deal, but they don't know how. But we're going to get them to make a deal,” the US President said.
Trump indicated that persuading Zelensky to agree to a settlement would be central to his approach. Asked how he planned to ensure Putin honoured the proposed ceasefire, he responded: “Well, I think what's happening is he wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a deal.”
The exchange highlighted Trump's continued confidence that he could bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table, even though the details of a mutually accepted ceasefire and its implementation remain unclear.
Trump defends claim of ceasefire agreement
The President stood by his assertion that the two countries had agreed to the proposed ceasefire when a reporter questioned whether a formal understanding had actually been reached.
“Well, they agreed, you know why? Because I said you agree, that's why. They agreed because I said they agreed and that thing has to get settled,” Trump said.
However, he did not provide details of a formal agreement, identify any written commitments from the two governments or explain how compliance would be monitored and enforced.
Asked about reports that Russia had violated the proposed ceasefire by attacking Ukraine overnight, Trump said he would need to examine the circumstances before drawing conclusions.
“I'm not sure about that and we'll take a look,” he said.
He subsequently suggested that violations had occurred on both sides, adding that responsibility for breaches of any proposed arrangement should be assessed after reviewing the available information.
“Well, I'd have to look at it and see because there's been violations on both sides,” Trump said.
His comments did not establish whether Russia had formally accepted the proposed energy ceasefire or whether any reported attacks constituted violations of an agreement binding both countries.
Trump cites mounting casualties
Trump also pointed to the heavy human cost of the war, arguing that continued fighting made a negotiated settlement increasingly urgent.
“This month, they lost 32,000 people in that war, and it's ridiculous. So, they have to get together and get it done,” he said.
He repeated the casualty figure later, describing those killed as predominantly young soldiers. However, he did not identify the source of the estimate, and the figure could not be independently verified from his remarks.
Asked what message he had for Putin after Zelensky reportedly expressed support for an energy ceasefire, Trump said he remained hopeful that progress could be achieved.
“Well, we're going to see what happens. We'll get it done,” he said.
Peace efforts face continuing uncertainty
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a prolonged conflict that has caused extensive destruction, displaced millions of people and resulted in substantial military and civilian casualties.
Energy infrastructure has remained a significant target during the war, with attacks affecting electricity generation, transmission networks and other essential facilities. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of targeting infrastructure and violating commitments.
Trump's latest comments underline Washington's stated effort to secure a negotiated settlement. However, the absence of publicly confirmed, mutually accepted terms for the proposed energy ceasefire leaves key questions unresolved, including the scope of restrictions, verification procedures and consequences for violations.
Whether Trump's diplomatic efforts can translate into concrete commitments from Putin and Zelensky remains uncertain as fighting continues and both sides maintain competing positions on ending the war.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
