Trump says Putin more than Zelenskyy seeks to make a peace deal
US President Donald Trump said that, in his opinion, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is more interested than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in concluding a deal to end the war. He expressed this assessment on October 12 during a conversation with journalists near the White House.
In response to a journalist's question about how he plans to force Putin to adhere to a ceasefire, Trump replied that the Russian leader is supposedly already ready for agreements, while the Ukrainian president still needs to be persuaded.
"I think he wants to make a deal, and we need to get Zelenskyy to also want to make a deal", - stated the American president.
A journalist from Poland asked on what such confidence is based, if Russia continues to strike Ukraine. Trump replied that he expects an agreement between the parties.
"I think they will make a deal. Actually, I think Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelenskyy", - he emphasized.
During the same briefing, Trump also insisted that the previously announced "energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia is already in effect, although there is no official confirmation of a corresponding bilateral agreement.
When journalists noted that neither Kyiv nor Moscow confirmed reaching an agreement, the US president replied: "They agreed. You know why? Because I said: "You agree". That's why they agreed".
Regarding reports of new Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, Trump said he needs to verify this information. At the same time, he claimed that violations allegedly occurred on both sides but did not give specific examples.
The American president also expressed confidence that both parties want to agree, but do not know how to do it. According to him, Washington will continue efforts to end the war.
Recall that on October 11, Trump announced on Truth Social the immediate entry into force of an "energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. However, the Kremlin did not confirm the conclusion of such an agreement, and Zelenskyy said he learned about the supposedly reached agreement from a public statement by the American president.
The Ukrainian side stated its readiness to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure on the condition of similar actions by Moscow. Zelenskyy stressed that the ceasefire must include a real cessation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants, electricity grids, and other critical facilities.
However, on October 12, Russia continued attacks. According to Zelenskyy, during the day Russian forces attacked six energy facilities in Ukraine. Gas production infrastructure and a power plant in Kharkiv came under fire. The Ukrainian president said that Moscow effectively ignored Trump's initiative.
As reported by Axios citing a White House representative, the American initiative at the first stage involves mutual cessation of strikes on oil refineries. Only after that does Washington consider the possibility of an agreement on ending attacks on power plants and energy grids. At the time of publication of the material, Russia had not confirmed even its agreement to such a limited format.
Controversies around the ceasefire have sharpened after Trump's agreement with Putin on easing American sanctions on Russian diesel fuel. Washington allowed the import of Russian diesel, explaining this by the need to curb high fuel prices. The decision drew criticism from Ukraine, European allies, and some American lawmakers, who fear increased Russian revenue from energy exports.
Zelenskyy, in turn, proposed that the US negotiate with Ukraine on stopping strikes on Russian oil refineries in exchange for ending Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy systems. He also called on Washington to increase pressure on Moscow to ensure a real ceasefire.
Based on materials: video of briefing by Donald Trump, Axios, Radio Svoboda