President Donald Trump said Russia should move toward a peace agreement after what he described as a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 summit in France.
Speaking to reporters while seated alongside the Emir of Qatar, Trump confirmed that he had met with Zelenskyy earlier in the day and expected to meet him again later. The comments came as Ukraine and European leaders used the summit to press for stronger U.S. backing against Russia and a renewed diplomatic push to end the war.
“Russia should make a deal,” Trump said, pointing to the heavy losses suffered by both Russia and Ukraine. He said the death toll on both sides had become “crazy,” adding that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Trump did not announce a new peace plan or timeline, but his remarks suggested he is trying to position himself as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. He also acknowledged the deep hostility between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, saying there is “a lot of dislike” between them.
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Zelenskyy has been using the G7 summit to push for more support from Western leaders, including additional air defense systems and stronger pressure on Moscow. According to Reuters, Zelenskyy said he had offered to meet Putin either on the sidelines of the G7 summit or in the United States, arguing that such a meeting could create an opportunity to move toward ending the war.
The Kremlin, however, cast doubt on the possibility of a near-term Putin-Zelenskyy meeting. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there had been no formal invitation for Putin to attend the G7 summit and that there are currently no open channels between Moscow and Kyiv.
That gap shows the challenge facing Trump and European leaders. While Ukraine is publicly urging direct diplomacy and stronger pressure on Russia, Moscow appears unwilling to accept the current format or move quickly toward talks.
The G7 summit has become a key test of Trump’s Ukraine policy. European governments are trying to convince him that Russia remains the obstacle to peace and that the West should continue backing Ukraine militarily and economically. Some European officials believe Ukraine’s recent strikes and defensive operations have put Russia under more pressure than before, creating a possible opening for renewed diplomacy.
Trump has often expressed frustration with the war and has argued that a deal should be reached to stop the bloodshed. His critics worry that any rushed settlement could favor Moscow or pressure Ukraine to accept terms that undermine its sovereignty. Supporters argue that Trump’s direct engagement with both Putin and Zelenskyy could help restart talks that have been largely frozen.
The meeting also comes as the G7 leaders are handling multiple crises at once, including tensions in the Middle East and wider concerns over global energy markets. Still, Ukraine remains one of the summit’s central issues, especially for European leaders who see Russia’s war as a long-term security threat to the continent.
For Zelenskyy, the goal is to keep Washington aligned with Kyiv’s position and prevent fatigue among allies. For Trump, the challenge is balancing his desire for a negotiated settlement with pressure from Europe to maintain a firm stance against Russia.
No breakthrough was announced after the first Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. But the fact that Trump publicly urged Russia to make a deal may be seen by Kyiv and European leaders as a more useful signal than previous comments that placed pressure mainly on Ukraine.
The next question is whether Trump’s second meeting with Zelenskyy will produce concrete steps, such as new sanctions, military commitments, or a clearer diplomatic framework for possible talks with Moscow.
Why It Matters
Trump’s comments matter because U.S. policy remains central to Ukraine’s war effort. If Washington increases pressure on Russia while continuing to support Kyiv, European leaders may see a stronger path toward negotiations.
But if Trump pushes for a quick deal without firm conditions, Ukraine and its allies may worry that Moscow could use diplomacy to lock in battlefield gains or weaken Western unity.
What Comes Next
Trump is expected to meet Zelenskyy again during the G7 summit, where Ukraine will likely press for air defenses, continued military support and stronger sanctions against Russia.
The Kremlin’s response will also be important. If Moscow continues to reject direct talks or denies receiving formal invitations, the diplomatic opening may remain limited despite Trump’s public call for Russia to make a deal.
A clip from the G7 summit showed Trump saying Russia “should make a deal” after meeting with Zelenskyy.
BREAKING: TRUMP ON RUSSIA AFTER MEETING WITH ZELENSKYY:
“Russia should make a deal. Russia has lost a tremendous amount of people; so has Ukraine.” pic.twitter.com/E3W9Jsrmdg
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 16, 2026
