.jpg)
2 hours ago
3
Article content
(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump faulted Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy as the main obstacle to an agreement to end the war Russia launched against his country four years ago.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Trump, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “ready to make a deal,” Reuters reported. When pressed on what was impeding a deal, Trump replied, “Zelenskiy,” Reuters said.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The American president has oscillated between blaming Ukraine and Russia for failing to reach an accord, which he had claimed during his 2024 presidential campaign could be easily resolved.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
The US has prepared further sanctions should Trump decide to act on Russia’s continued rejection of a peace deal. US and Ukrainian officials have said they’ve made significant progress on a 20-point plan to end the fighting, however Kyiv and Moscow remain at an impasse over a number of issues including territorial control of areas Russia claims that remain under Ukrainian control.
Article content
Trump’s comments mark a shift from recent weeks in which he had expressed growing frustration with Putin amid a year-end frenzied diplomatic push to end the war.
Article content
The president had said he was “not thrilled” with his Russian counterpart earlier this month and that too many people were dying, bristling at the Kremlin for continuing military strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Putin in recent weeks dampened hopes for an approaching deal even as Trump and Zelenskiy had expressed growing optimism.
Article content
Article content
Last week, Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is close to the White House, said Trump had “greenlit” a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. “I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote, hopefully as early as next week,” Graham said then. A White House official confirmed that Trump supported the legislation.
Article content
Trump’s new remarks also come as special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, are looking to travel to Moscow to meet with Putin in the near future, according to people familiar with the matter. That meeting could take place as soon as this month, the people said, but they cautioned that the plans were not finalized.
Article content
The US officials will present the latest draft plans to Putin and his team, other people said.
Article content
Earlier: Witkoff and Kushner Seek to Visit Moscow for Putin Meeting
Article content
The comments to Reuters are also likely to alarm European allies worried that Trump will force harsh concessions on Ukraine in his eagerness to smooth over a number of key sticking points remaining in talks.
Article content
The Kremlin has stuck to demands that Ukraine withdraw troops from the remaining areas of the eastern Donbas region, including territory that Russia has failed to seize by force. Ukraine has instead suggested freezing the current line of contact or a pullback by both sides to create a buffer zone.
English (US)