US President Donald Trump said he believes Ukraine and Russia are moving closer to readiness to make a deal to end the war. Ukrainian negotiators, however, do not share the American president's optimistic assessment.
Trump said this on November 3 in a phone interview with Financial Times.
"I think they're both at a stage now where they're ready to say: 'Let's make a deal'", - the US president stated, commenting on the prospects for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
Trump did not specify what his optimism is based on, or whether the sides have made progress on specific terms for a ceasefire.
Financial Times notes that members of the Ukrainian negotiating team do not share this assessment of the situation.
The American president's statement came ahead of a new round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.
As previously reported by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the sides plan to discuss security guarantees after the war ends, de-escalation measures, humanitarian issues, and next steps towards a peaceful settlement.
At the same time, according to Axios, substantial differences remain between Ukraine and Russia, primarily on territorial issues. Despite Moscow's agreement to resume talks, there are currently no signs of the Russian leadership's readiness for significant concessions.
Ukraine also insists on including in the negotiating agenda an end to Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, safety of navigation in the Black Sea, and prisoner exchanges.
Before the meeting in Abu Dhabi, US representatives will hold separate consultations with European partners on future security guarantees for Ukraine and mechanisms for post-war recovery.
Thus, despite Trump's optimistic statements, the sides have not yet announced any specific agreements on ending hostilities or the terms of a peace deal.
Source: Financial Times, Axios, Kurs Ukrainy
