Trump insists on direct Zelenskyy-Putin talks: 'Let them solve their problems themselves'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced support for direct peace negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting the two leaders should resolve their conflict without initial U.S. mediation. Speaking from Air Force One, Trump indicated his belief that his previous policies had brought both leaders to a point where a resolution is possible and that the conflict is approaching its conclusion.

Trump stated he does not oppose independent negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. When asked by reporters whether Zelenskyy and Putin should hold a direct conversation before the U.S. re-engages in mediating official peace talks, Trump responded affirmatively. "Well, I don't mind," Trump said. "I mean, let them work it out. I'm the one that brought them to the situation they are in, and I think it's going to be resolved. I think we're getting to where Russia [and] Ukraine should have been... But I think it's going to be resolved."

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Let them work it out. I'm the one that brought them to the situation they are in, and I think it's going to be resolved. I think we're getting to where Russia [and] Ukraine should have been... But I think it's going to be resolved.

The former president reiterated his view that the war should never have occurred, asserting that the full-scale invasion would not have happened had he been leading the U.S. in 2022. These comments followed a public diplomatic initiative from Kyiv. On June 4, President Zelenskyy published an open letter proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin in a neutral country, such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab nation, with potential security guarantees from the U.S. and European partners.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the idea of a direct meeting with Zelenskyy, describing the open letter as "crude." Putin stated, "I see no interest in a meeting. It would only be of interest to the Ukrainian side, with the aim of stopping the advance of our armed forces." He added that discussions should first occur at a technical level before any summit could be considered.

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I see no interest in a meeting. It would only be of interest to the Ukrainian side, with the aim of stopping the advance of our armed forces.