Trump: Putin Softening Conditions for Ending Ukraine War

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is beginning to moderate his demands for concluding the war in Ukraine. Trump made these remarks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, suggesting that Putin is facing considerable pressure to de-escalate.

Trump stated that he communicates with Putin more frequently than with Zelenskyy, characterizing their relationship as very good. He believes Putin is eager to end the war and is experiencing significant pressure from various parties to do so. "We are putting strong pressure on Putin. I don't think he likes what's going on. I don't think he's happy with the current situation," Trump commented, adding that Putin wants to finish the war as soon as possible.

According to Trump, Putin's previously stated conditions for ending the conflict have begun to change and, in some aspects, are becoming more favorable. He suggested that Russia is in a more difficult position than anticipated. Both Putin and Zelenskyy desire an end to the war, Trump indicated.

President Zelenskyy, when asked about Putin's conditions, stated that they are constantly shifting. He noted that Putin was in a stronger position at the outset of the full-scale invasion but is now losing initiative on the battlefield. Zelenskyy attributed this shift to technological advancements rather than troop numbers, asserting that Ukraine possesses superior and faster technological solutions. He emphasized Ukraine's strategy to shift the conflict from the battlefield to the air and disrupt Russian logistics, thereby gaining an advantage despite having fewer personnel.