Camilla Jessen
Donald Trump says he doesn’t understand the hatred between Zelensky and Putin.
U.S. President Donald Trump said direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are nearly impossible because of their deep personal animosity.
His comments came on September 14, one month after his summit with Putin in Alaska.
Trump Says Hatred Blocks Negotiations
“The hatred between Zelensky and Putin is incomprehensible,” Trump told Digi24 reporters. “They hate each other so much, they can hardly speak.”
Trump explained that he had initially thought arranging talks would be easy but later concluded he would have to step in personally.
“I think I’ll have to speak … because they are incapable of talking to each other,” he said.
Failed Efforts After Alaska Summit
After his August 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska, Trump pledged to help organize a summit between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
But those plans quickly collapsed.
Putin invited Zelensky to Moscow, which Kyiv rejected, stressing that any deal recognizing Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory was “impossible.”
Zelensky also made clear he would not travel to Russia for negotiations.
Trump Pushes Europe to Tighten Sanctions
To increase pressure on Putin, Trump tied potential new U.S. sanctions to tougher measures from Europe.
“We can’t be the only ones acting with full force,” he said. “I don’t want them [Europe] buying Russian oil.”
He warned that Washington is willing to impose sanctions but expects Europe to “toughen theirs.”
U.S. Energy Secretary Backs Trump’s View
Energy Secretary Chris Wright voiced similar concerns in remarks to the Financial Times on September 8.
He said Europe must stop buying fossil fuels from Russia if it wants Washington to step up pressure.
Mixed Record on Sanctions
Despite Trump’s tough rhetoric, his administration has taken a mixed approach to sanctions.
Some restrictions have been rolled back, while new measures have been limited.
In August, Washington imposed tariffs on India, one of Russia’s largest oil customers, for continuing to buy Russian crude. Indian officials responded by saying their imports would not stop.
Europe Debates Ban on Russian Energy
Meanwhile, lawmakers in the European Union are debating proposals to speed up a complete ban on Russian fossil fuels.
Energy imports from Moscow remain one of the Kremlin’s biggest revenue sources, despite the war dragging into its third year.
U.S. Congress Signals Tougher Action
Back in Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on September 14 that Congress is prepared to act.
“I think there’s a lot of interest in this in Congress … and, personally, I’m eager to do it,” Johnson said, signaling potential bipartisan support for stricter sanctions against Russia.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
