President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appear ready to pursue a settlement, while announcing that the United States will allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air defense systems.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a deal to end the war in Ukraine is within reach, telling reporters during a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that both Kyiv and Moscow have reasons to move toward a settlement.
Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to negotiate and that Zelenskyy also wants the war to end so Ukraine can begin rebuilding.
“I think President Putin wants to see a settlement,” Trump said. “And usually that means a settlement.”
Trump said he has spoken repeatedly with both Putin and Zelenskyy and believes he can identify when parties are ready to reach an agreement.
“Because I talked to him. I talked to him. I talked to President Zelenskyy. And I think that’s all I’ve done my whole life. I’ve made deals,” Trump said. “And that’s what I do. And I do it well. And I know when people want to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal.”
The president said Putin is facing pressure to resolve the conflict.
“We have a lot of pressure on President Putin,” Trump said. “You know, I don’t think he likes what’s going on. I don’t think he’s thrilled with what’s happening. There’s a lot of pressure on President Putin to get it done. I think there’s pressure on everybody to get that one done.”
Trump said he also believes Zelenskyy is ready to pursue an agreement.
“I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump said of Putin. “And I do feel that President Zelenskyy would like to get back to rebuilding his country as opposed to, you know, having all of this death and destruction.”
Trump said he recently discussed where a possible Putin-Zelenskyy meeting could take place. According to Trump, Putin suggested Moscow, but Trump said he rejected that location.
“One of the things that I talked to him about was where would you want to meet? And he said, ideally in Moscow,” Trump said.
“I said, ‘You’re not going to meet in Moscow. You know, it just doesn’t work. You can’t do that,’” he added. “But he’ll meet, and Zelenskyy is going to meet, and something’s going to happen that’s going to be positive.”
Trump said he hopes the meeting happens soon, saying it could save lives and allow Ukraine to move into a rebuilding phase. He also told Zelenskyy that Ukraine has a “tremendous future.”
The president said he had not set a deadline for a peace agreement.
“No, I don’t have a deadline. You can’t have a deadline. You know, it’s too much going on. But I think you’re going to have a deal,” Trump said.
Asked whether the United States would provide Ukraine with security guarantees after a peace agreement, Trump said his administration would work with European allies on a security arrangement.
“We’re going to work on a security guarantee,” Trump said. “And Russia respects us a lot, and we’re going to work on some kind of a security. If we can make the right deal, we’ll help Europe. I mean, Europe is going to be watching it. We’re going to be helping them, and we’ll work on some kind of a security package.”
Trump said he does not expect Russia to invade Ukraine again if a deal is reached.
“I think that if we make a deal, Russia is going to be very happy and they’re going to get on with other things,” Trump said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t see that question. Oh, they’re going to attack again. I don’t see it at all.”
Trump also said he would consider traveling to Ukraine after the fighting ends.
“I would go to Ukraine at the right time,” Trump said. “I’d rather have the war be over.”
During the same NATO summit meeting, Trump said the United States will give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air defense systems, a move intended to help Kyiv meet its own air defense needs while reducing strain on U.S. and allied stockpiles.
“One of the things we’re going to be talking about is we’re going to give a license to you to make,” Trump told Zelenskyy during their bilateral meeting.
“That’s pretty cool, right? This way, he can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough. Let’s say, ’make them yourself.’”
Ukraine has relied heavily on Patriot systems from the United States and other allies since Russia launched its large-scale invasion in 2022. The systems have been used to defend against repeated Russian aerial attacks, including missiles and drones.
Demand for Patriots has also grown elsewhere. After U.S. strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, American forces across the Middle East used Patriots and other air defense systems to counter Iranian missile and drone barrages.
In May, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the United States was delaying approval of a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure U.S. forces had enough munitions for the armed standoff with Iran.
The Trump administration has announced efforts in recent months to increase weapons production, though Trump acknowledged Wednesday that delivery timelines remain long for advanced U.S. systems.
“If you order a Patriot now, you have to wait a long time for them. Same thing with the Tomahawk,” Trump said.
Allowing Ukraine to produce its own Patriot systems could help answer Zelenskyy’s calls for more air defense support while leaving the United States better positioned to meet demand from other partners and theaters.
Trump said the administration still needs to inform the companies involved in the Patriot system about the licensing plan.
“We haven’t informed the company of that yet, but that’ll work out all right,” Trump said.
Raytheon produces the radar and ground systems used in the Patriot air defense system, while Lockheed Martin manufactures the interceptor missiles fired by the system. The United States has previously shared Patriot production licensing with Japan through an agreement involving Mitsubishi.
Zelenskyy praised the system during his meeting with Trump, calling it the top option currently available for defending against ballistic attacks.
“The Patriot system is the best, you know, in the world for today, the best anti-ballistic system,” Zelenskyy said.
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