President Donald Trump said the personal animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hindering efforts to end the war in Ukraine, describing it as “ridiculous” and “crazy.”
“The hatred between President Putin and President Zelenskiy is ridiculous. It’s crazy. And hate is a bad thing. Hate is a bad thing when you’re trying to settle something, but it’ll happen,” Trump said during a Sunday interview with Fox News.
Trump stated that he continues to communicate with Putin but did not disclose the date of their last contact. He also confirmed ongoing conversations with Zelensky.
The statement has triggered renewed scrutiny over informal diplomatic channels and their potential impact on one of the world’s most complex conflicts.
Trump, who pledged in his presidential campaign to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, has attempted to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine for months now to no avail.
Repeated Complaints About Leader Tensions
This is not the first time Trump has cited personal animosity between the two leaders as a barrier to peace. In January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump described an “abnormal hatred” between Russia and Ukraine’s leaders as a barrier to ending the war.
Trump met with Zelensky in Davos, while Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Putin in Moscow.
Negotiations Remain Stalled
According to The New York Times, a U.S. delegation plans to visit Russia again soon to continue negotiations on resolving the Ukrainian crisis, with the American delegation expected to include the State Department’s special envoy for Ukraine, the deputy national security adviser, and representatives from the Pentagon and the CIA.
The Russia-Ukraine war has spiralled into Europe’s deadliest conflict since 1945, with tens of thousands killed, millions forced to flee their homes, and many Ukrainian cities devastated. Russia currently occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine.
Analysts note that while Ukraine—under immense pressure from Trump—has shown flexibility in its negotiating positions, Russia has not budged. Critics argue Putin is not engaging in peace talks in good faith, instead seeking to gain advantage on the battlefield while negotiations drag on.