Trump says Ukraine, Russia would be 'stupid' if they miss chance for settlement

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: President Donald Trump delivered a blunt assessment of the war in Ukraine, saying both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be “stupid” if they fail to reach a deal to end the conflict.

Speaking during a Q&A session following his address at the World Economic Forum, Trump said entrenched hostility between the two leaders was blocking progress toward a settlement.

“I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done, and if they don’t, they’re stupid,” Trump said. “That goes for both of them. And I know they’re not stupid, but if they don’t get this done, they are stupid.”

Trump explains difficulty of balancing Putin and Zelenskyy

Trump said he believed an agreement was within reach, adding that “we’re reasonably close.” He disclosed that his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to meet with Putin in Moscow on Friday to advance negotiations.

The president described talks as unstable, with momentum shifting between the two sides. “What happens is, oftentimes, we’ll have a deal with Russia, Russia is set, and President Zelenskyy will not do it,” Trump said.

“You saw that when he was in the Oval Office. I was not happy. And then we’ll have President Zelenskyy wants to make a deal, and Putin doesn’t want to make the deal. It’s a very difficult balance,” Trump explained.

Europe must lead the war resolution

Trump argued that Europe should carry primary responsibility for ending the war, framing the conflict as a regional issue. “They have to work on Ukraine. We don’t,” he said.

He pointed to geography as justification for limiting US involvement. “The United States is very far away. We have a big, beautiful ocean separating us. We have nothing to do with it,” Trump stated.

The remarks suggested a push to shift mediation efforts to European governments that bordered the conflict zone.

Trump describes conflict as a 'bloodbath'

Reiterating a familiar claim, Trump said that the war began after he left office and would not have happened under his leadership. “I know Putin very well. He and I would discuss Ukraine. It was the apple of his eye, but he wasn’t going to do anything,” Trump said.

He recalled warning the Russian leader, “Flatter me. You’re not doing it.” Trump described the ongoing conflict as a “bloodbath,” saying “too many souls are being lost.”

He added, “It was terrible what happened. I could see it happening too. After I left, I could see it happening.”