In a revealing series of statements made from the White House, US President Donald Trump-who is once again vying for the presidency-shed light on his fraught relationship with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky while expressing optimism about potential progress in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Amid continued efforts to mediate a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the challenges posed by high-level diplomacy.

While Trump has long advocated for direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, his recent comments underscore a recurring tension: a perception that Zelensky is less cooperative and more difficult to work with than his Russian counterpart. In sharp contrast, Trump described his latest phone call with Putin as “very good” and even hinted at “progress being made,” though he offered few specific details.

“Zelensky is a strong guy, and he’s not the easiest person to deal with,” Trump told reporters. “But I think he wants to stop… I hope the answer is that he wants to get it solved.”

This measured statement reflects Trump’s broader ambivalence. While he has not abandoned his role as a would-be mediator, he also signaled growing frustration with the Ukrainian government’s uncompromising stance. When asked if Ukraine was doing enough to end the war, Trump deferred judgment: “I’d rather tell you in about two weeks from now, because I can’t say yes or no.”

Trump’s history with the Zelensky administration has been characterized by mutual suspicion and abrupt confrontations. In one notable Oval Office........

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