Trump Says Russia "Wants a Deal," Urges Zelensky to Accelerate Ukraine Peace Talks After U.S. Sets June Deadline

Trump intensified public pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying "Russia wants a deal" and that Zelensky "has to get moving" after the U.S. set a June deadline for a peace agreement, according to comments cited alongside his envoy Steve Witkoff's description of last week's trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi as "productive." Trump has increasingly portrayed Zelensky as the main barrier to an accord, having told Reuters that Vladimir Putin is "ready to make a deal" while "Ukraine is less ready," as core disputes persist over Russia's demand for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, Kyiv's push to freeze current battle lines, and a U.S. proposal for a free economic zone. Zelensky maintains that security guarantees must precede any settlement and has said that any agreement would require approval via a Ukrainian referendum, a process that could extend for months.