After meetings with Putin and Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump says he suspects Moscow’s leader is stalling — yet remains convinced a Ukraine peace deal is within reach.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be trying to “buy time” by agreeing to a new peace summit on Ukraine, but added that he still believes Putin ultimately wants to strike a deal to end the two-year-long conflict.
“I am concerned he might be buying time,” Trump told reporters. “But I’ve been played all my life by the best of them — and I came out really well. So it’s possible, a little time, it’s alright. But I think that I’m pretty good at this stuff. I think that he wants to make a deal.”
Trump’s comments came just one day after he held a phone call with Putin, and hours after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, part of an intensifying diplomatic push to end the war through direct U.S.-led mediation.
“A Deal Is Possible”
The president’s tone reflected cautious optimism, suggesting that while he is aware of Moscow’s negotiation tactics, he views Putin’s willingness to engage as an opening for genuine diplomacy.
“I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump repeated, calling the upcoming discussions “an opportunity to stop the killing and bring stability back to Europe.”
Officials confirmed that preparations are underway for a U.S.–Russia–Ukraine trilateral summit in Budapest, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation. The goal is to present a framework for a ceasefire and transitional agreement before the end of the year.
Back-to-Back Diplomacy
Friday’s White House meeting with Zelensky followed a tense but symbolically important phone conversation between Trump and Putin on Thursday.
The two leaders reportedly discussed terms for preliminary talks, with Putin agreeing “in principle” to a peace conference mediated by Washington.
Zelensky, dressed in a formal black suit — a rare departure from his wartime attire — thanked Trump for his “renewed effort toward a just peace,” while reiterating that Kyiv’s sovereignty and security must not be compromised in any deal.
Skepticism and Strategy
Analysts say Trump’s candid acknowledgment that Putin might be stalling for time reflects both experience and tactical patience.
“Trump’s message was clear: he’s aware of Putin’s gamesmanship but confident in his ability to outmaneuver him,” said one senior administration official. “He’s signaling that time is a tool, not a trap.”
The remarks come as global attention focuses on Trump’s high-stakes diplomacy, which could determine the trajectory of the Ukraine war — and the balance of power in Europe — in the months ahead.
Next Steps
The Budapest summit, expected later this month, could mark the first direct U.S.-brokered peace initiative since the conflict began in 2022. Trump has framed it as a test of his signature negotiation style — “peace through strength” — emphasizing that he will not allow prolonged stalemates.
“It’s time to stop the killing,” Trump said earlier this week. “If they behave, peace will come very fast.”
Whether Putin’s motives are tactical or sincere, Trump appears determined to push forward — positioning himself as the central broker in what could be the defining geopolitical deal of his second term.
