Trump on Ukraine Peace Efforts: ‘The Hatred Between Putin and Zelenskyy Is Ridiculous’
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Russia-Ukraine War
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he is personally mediating between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an effort to end the three-year-old war, but he has identified a major obstacle: what he calls the “ridiculous” personal animosity between the two leaders.
In an interview with Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing,” Trump revealed that he has been holding “good conversations” with both presidents as he works toward a negotiated settlement to the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 .
“The hatred between President Putin and President Zelenskyy is ridiculous. It’s crazy. And hate is a bad thing. Hate is a bad thing when you’re trying to settle something, but it’ll happen.”
— President Donald Trump, Fox News Interview
Trump’s Direct Role in Peace Efforts
The President confirmed that he is actively engaged in back-channel diplomacy, maintaining regular communication with both sides. When asked when he last spoke with Putin, Trump declined to provide specifics but confirmed the conversations are ongoing .
“I do have conversations with him, and I do have conversations with President Zelenskyy, and good conversations.”
— President Donald Trump
Trump expressed optimism that a resolution can be achieved despite the challenging circumstances. “We’re working on the Russia situation, Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we’re going to get it,” he said, adding that he has resolved eight conflicts in the past and thought the Ukraine-Russia war might be among the easier ones to solve .
The President’s remarks suggest that while the personal animosity between Putin and Zelenskyy complicates direct engagement, he believes a deal remains achievable under his leadership.
The ‘Hatred’ Obstacle: What Trump Means
This is not the first time Trump has highlighted the deep personal divide between the two leaders. In September 2025, Trump similarly stated that the “hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin is unfathomable” and indicated he would need to lead any negotiations personally because the two leaders “are incapable of talking to each other” .
Trump’s characterization reflects the reality of the conflict: after more than three years of devastating warfare, multiple war crimes allegations, an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against Putin, and a Ukrainian peace formula that calls for complete Russian withdrawal, the diplomatic chasm between Moscow and Kyiv remains vast.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that he will not hold direct talks with Putin, and Putin has similarly shown little appetite for face-to-face negotiations with his Ukrainian counterpart .
The State of Peace Negotiations
Trump had famously pledged to end the war “in 24 hours” during his presidential campaign. However, more than a year into his second term, the conflict continues .
Key factors complicating peace efforts:
| Factor | Current Status |
|---|---|
| U.S. peace plan | Trump has proposed a plan that reportedly includes territorial concessions from Ukraine |
| Zelenskyy’s position | Wants security guarantees and Western weapons; critical of U.S. envoys visiting Moscow but not Kyiv |
| Putin’s position | Demands Ukraine recognize Russian-occupied territories and abandon NATO aspirations |
| Official negotiations | Stalled since February 2026, when U.S. focus shifted to the Iran war |
| Ceasefire prospects | No active ceasefire; fighting continues along the front lines |
Trump most recently met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, a meeting that signaled a potential shift in their relationship after a contentious Oval Office exchange earlier in his term .
The Iran Distraction
A significant factor in the stalled Ukraine peace process has been the diversion of U.S. diplomatic and military attention to the war with Iran, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on February 28, 2026.
Official peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have been effectively frozen since the Iran war began, as the Trump administration has prioritized Middle East diplomacy and the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz .
Zelenskyy has expressed frustration with this shift, recently criticizing Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for traveling to Moscow without visiting Kyiv. “It is disrespectful to travel to Moscow and not come to Kyiv,” Zelenskyy said, though he added that the outcome of discussions matters more than the location .
Rhetorical Evolution: Trump on Both Leaders
Trump’s current framing of the conflict—emphasizing the “ridiculous” mutual hatred as an obstacle to overcome—represents a calibrated diplomatic position after a year of shifting public statements .
Trump’s 2025-2026 rhetorical evolution:
| Phase | Key Statements |
|---|---|
| Early 2025 | Trusted Putin; criticized Zelenskyy as “a dictator without elections” |
| Mid-2025 | Became “disappointed” with Putin as Russia intensified attacks |
| Late 2025 | Endorsed a peace plan requiring Ukrainian territorial concessions |
| Early 2026 | Met with Zelenskyy; opened possibility of sending air defense missiles |
| Current | Balanced: Has “good conversations” with both; blames mutual hatred for stalemate |
This evolution suggests a growing pragmatism in Trump’s approach, recognizing that neither side is entirely to blame for the diplomatic impasse and that both will need to make concessions for a deal to materialize .
Obstacles to a Peace Deal
Several major issues continue to divide Moscow and Kyiv:
| Issue | Zelenskyy’s Position | Putin’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | Will not cede occupied land formally; open to diplomacy on frozen conflict | Demands Ukraine recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied territories |
| NATO membership | Seeks invitation or security guarantees from the alliance | Ukraine’s NATO membership is a “red line” for Moscow |
| Security guarantees | Wants binding Western commitments | Opposes Western military presence in Ukraine |
| War crimes accountability | ICC case against Putin; seeks justice | Rejects ICC jurisdiction; views accusations as politically motivated |
Without significant movement on these core issues, even the most effective mediator would struggle to bring both sides to an agreement. Trump’s assertion that “it’ll happen” reflects his characteristic optimism but faces considerable headwinds .
What Comes Next
Trump’s latest comments suggest that while he remains personally engaged, a breakthrough is not imminent. The Iran war continues to consume U.S. diplomatic and military resources, and neither Putin nor Zelenskyy appears ready to make the kind of concessions necessary for a deal.
Key factors to watch:
- Post-Iran war focus – Will the U.S. return its full attention to Ukraine once the Iran crisis is resolved?
- Zelenskyy-Trump relations – Can the two leaders maintain constructive engagement after previous blowups?
- Putin’s willingness – Is the Russian leader genuinely interested in negotiations, or is he waiting for Western resolve to erode further?
- European role – How will NATO allies respond to any U.S.-brokered peace plan?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly did President Trump say about Putin and Zelenskyy?
Trump said: “The hatred between President Putin and President Zelenskyy is ridiculous. It’s crazy. And hate is a bad thing. Hate is a bad thing when you’re trying to settle something, but it’ll happen.”
Q2: Is Trump directly negotiating with both leaders?
According to Trump, yes. He stated he has “good conversations” or “constructive discussions” with both Putin and Zelenskyy, though he declined to specify when he last spoke to them .
Q3: Why hasn’t Trump ended the war as he promised?
Trump had pledged to end the war “in 24 hours” during his campaign. However, the conflict continues more than a year into his second term. The U.S. focus has also shifted significantly to the war with Iran, which began in February 2026 .
Q4. Will there be a peace deal soon?
Trump expressed optimism that peace “will happen,” but significant obstacles remain, including territorial disputes, NATO membership questions, and the diversion of U.S. attention to the Iran war .
Q5: Has Trump’s position on Russia and Ukraine changed over time?
Yes. Trump’s rhetoric has evolved significantly, from expressing trust in Putin and criticizing Zelenskyy early in his term, to becoming “disappointed” with Putin, to now positioning himself as a mediator with “good conversations” with both sides .
Q6: Have there been recent in-person meetings between Trump and Zelenskyy?
Yes. Trump recently met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, marking their first in-person meeting since a contentious Oval Office exchange earlier in Trump’s term .
Q7: Is Zelenskyy satisfied with U.S. mediation efforts?
Zelenskyy has expressed frustration, criticizing U.S. envoys for visiting Moscow without traveling to Kyiv. However, he has also indicated that the outcome of discussions matters more than where they take place .
Q8. When did official peace negotiations stall?
Official negotiations between Russia and Ukraine stalled in February 2026, when the Trump administration’s attention shifted almost entirely to the war with Iran .
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Trump’s comment | “…hatred…is ridiculous” |
| When/Where | Fox News “The Sunday Briefing,” April 26, 2026 |
| U.S. Role | Trump personally mediating: “good conversations” with both sides |
| Obstacle cited | Personal animosity complicates direct diplomacy |
| Peace talks status | Stalled since February 2026; Iran war diverted focus |
| Trump’s timeline | Re-election 2024; in second term >1 year |
| No active ceasefire | Fighting continues along front lines |
Sources and Further Reading
Reflecto News has compiled this report from verified sources including President Trump’s Fox News interview (April 26, 2026), Reuters, the Associated Press, The Kyiv Independent, NDTV, and multiple international news outlets covering the Ukraine-Russia war. All information is accurate as of publication.
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