Trump Says Putin Is Ready for Ukraine Peace, Blames Zelensky as Kremlin Backs Claim
The remarks signal a shift in U.S. messaging that the Kremlin quickly amplified to present itself as open to talks.
Overview
- Speaking to Reuters in the Oval Office on Jan. 14, President Trump said Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal and identified Volodymyr Zelensky as the reason talks have not concluded.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov agreed with Trump’s assessment, said Russia remains open to negotiations, and indicated Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be welcomed once a visit date is set.
- Zelensky has publicly rejected any territorial concessions under Ukraine’s constitution, and he responded that Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace.
- Recent U.S.-led discussions have focused on post-war security guarantees, with reporting of pressure on Kyiv to consider parts of Donbass and a floated free economic zone concept tied to Ukrainian withdrawals.
- European allies and some U.S. intelligence reporting continue to doubt Moscow’s intentions, no Davos meeting is confirmed, and no dates have been announced for a Kremlin visit by U.S. envoys.