Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Trump Says Putin Seeks Deal to End Ukraine War
Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump said a deal would be helpful if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also agreed.
Trump and Putin recently spoke by phone for about an hour.
The Kremlin described their conversation as frank and constructive.
Trump said the two leaders are tired of fighting and blamed their hostility for delaying an agreement.
U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have discussed possible peace plans in Russia and Ukraine.
The Central Intelligence Agency has also held talks with Russian officials.
However, intelligence officials in the United States, Ukraine and Europe still question whether Putin truly wants to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin wants a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Trump said a deal would be welcome if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also wants one.
Trump and Putin held an hour-long phone call described by the Kremlin as frank and constructive.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently discussed peace proposals in Moscow and Kyiv.
U.S., Ukrainian and European intelligence officials remain doubtful that Putin is seriously seeking to end the war.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Trump said Putin wants a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- When
- Trump made the remarks on Wednesday after speaking with Putin by phone on Tuesday.
- Where
- The diplomatic efforts included talks in Moscow and Kyiv; Trump spoke to reporters while traveling to Dallas.
- Why
- The stated aim is to end the war, although intelligence officials continue to doubt Putin’s commitment to doing so.
Trump’s Assessment
Intelligence Officials’ Doubts
Putin’s willingness to negotiate
Trump’s Assessment
Trump said Putin wants to make a deal to end the war.
Intelligence Officials’ Doubts
U.S., Ukrainian and European intelligence officials continue to doubt that Putin is seriously interested in ending the war.
Reason for the stalled agreement
Trump’s Assessment
Trump said the conflict is being held up by two leaders who are tired of fighting and hate each other.
Intelligence Officials’ Doubts
The reports do not identify personal hostility as the main cause, instead emphasizing continued doubts about Putin’s intentions.
- Phone call
- Trump and Putin spoke for about one hour.
- Kremlin description
- The Kremlin called the conversation extremely frank and constructive.
- U.S. negotiators
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are handling major U.S. peace negotiations.
- Recent diplomatic travel
- Witkoff and Kushner returned from talks in Moscow and Kyiv.
- Additional U.S. outreach
- Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met Russian intelligence officials in Moscow last month.
- Intelligence assessment
- Officials in the United States, Ukraine and Europe doubt Putin is seriously interested in ending the war.
- War duration
- The war was described as being in its fourth year.
