Trump Tells Reuters He Sees Zelenskiy as Key Impediment to Peace

Volodymyr Zelenskiy and President Donald Trump in December.Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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By Derek Wallbank

January 15, 2026 at 1:49 AM UTC

Updated on

January 15, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC

President Donald Trump faulted Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy as the main obstacle to an agreement to end the war Russia launched against his country four years ago.

Trump, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “ready to make a deal,” Reuters reported. When pressed on what was impeding a deal, Trump replied, “Zelenskiy,” Reuters said.