WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reach a deal with Russia to end the conflict.
"We want Zelensky to make a deal," Trump told reporters at the White House. "If they don't make a deal, it's just gonna get worse."
"We have given tremendous amounts to Ukraine; we've got nothing back. Other than high diesel," he said. "The American taxpayers are tired of it."
"It's time to make a deal," he added, "Russia would like to get it done."
Trump made the appeal after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Zelensky and European officials in Oslo on Tuesday. Zelensky reportedly said after the Oslo talks that discussions had been constructive.
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Witkoff is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on Wednesday and present him with an updated proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, US media Axios reported on Tuesday, citing a US official.
Washington hopes the new proposal will "create a pathway toward direct trilateral and broader multilateral negotiations," the US official was quoted as saying.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelensky in recent days, accusing him of hindering peace efforts. On Monday, Trump said Zelensky should have settled the conflict long ago and suggested replacing him as Ukraine's chief negotiator.
In his meeting with Witkoff, President Zelensky discussed proposals for various ceasefire formats, Ukraine's state-run Ukrinform news agency reported. The meeting was also attended by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Speaking after the meeting, Zelensky said the talks also covered security guarantees for Ukraine and the country's recovery.
