Trump claims Zelenskyy, not Putin, blocks peace; U.S. talks on Ukraine continue amid skepticism.

In a January 2026 Oval Office interview, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, is obstructing peace efforts in the war, claiming Putin is ready to end the conflict. Trump’s remarks contradict European allies’ assessments that Russia remains committed to territorial expansion. U.S.-led talks have focused on post-war security guarantees and potential territorial concessions in Donbas, which Ukraine has rejected due to constitutional constraints. The negotiations, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have drawn skepticism from some European partners. Trump said he was unaware of a planned Moscow trip by the envoys and did not confirm a potential meeting with Zelenskiy at the World Economic Forum. U.S. intelligence reports continue to indicate Russian ambitions in Ukraine, though Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has disputed some findings.