Trump sees ‘good chance’ for Russia-Ukraine peace deal despite leader animosity

Washington: US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism regarding negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that a settlement is "getting very close" despite intense hostility between the nations' leaders.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump acknowledged the complexity of the diplomatic process, bluntly noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin "hate each other." However, he emphasized the urgent need for resolution, citing staggering battlefield losses and the death of "hundreds of thousands of people."

The President highlighted the United States' active role in bridging the divide between the two sides. "I think that we have a good chance of getting it settled," Trump said. Bolstering his confidence in a potential deal, he claimed to have "ended eight wars" during his tenure, though he did not provide specific details regarding those conflicts or the mechanics of the current negotiations.

While Trump did not outline specific concessions or a timeline, his comments mark a significant statement on the years-long conflict. Negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv have historically stalled over critical disagreements regarding territory, sovereignty, and security guarantees, despite repeated international mediation efforts.

(Inputs from IANS)