Yesterday at 22:20
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may prove impossible due to the deep-seated hatred between the two sides.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Trump said there were times when he came close to abandoning his mediation efforts.
“Sometimes I was close to that, but then positive things happened,” he said, explaining why he hasn’t yet given up on his peace push.
However, Trump confirmed that he could still walk away.
“There will be a time when I say, ‘Okay, go ahead. Keep being foolish and keep fighting,'” he remarked.
While admitting that a deal might be unrealistic, Trump also claimed an agreement could be “fairly close.”
“Maybe it’s not doable… You have to understand, Kristen, between these two men (Zelensky and Putin), and frankly between some soldiers, there’s tremendous hatred. Among the generals. They’ve been fighting viciously for three years. I think we have a very good chance to get there,” Trump said.
He added that progress was made with one side but not the other, though he did not specify whether he was referring to Ukraine or Russia.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington would step back from its mediator role if no progress is made in peace talks.
The State Department also signaled a shift in approach, planning to take a less active role in efforts to end the war.
