'Ended Eight Wars But...': Trump Calls Russia-Ukraine Conflict A 'Mess', Says It Takes Two To Tango

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 07:26 IST

Trump claimed the US was “bringing peace all over the world,” but said that the war between Russia and Ukraine remained particularly difficult.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday reiterated his claim of ending eight wars in 10 months, but called the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict a “mess," saying progress toward peace would require cooperation from both sides.

Speaking at a public event, Trump said the United States was “bringing peace all over the world," but acknowledged that the war between Russia and Ukraine remained particularly difficult.

“We have a couple more to go, but one in particular, Russia-Ukraine. It’s a mess. It’s a horrible thing. I think we’ll get there. It takes two to tango," he said, adding that sustained effort was needed to move the process forward.

Trump’s remarks come as the war nears its fourth year, with neither Moscow nor Kyiv showing signs of compromising on key territorial demands.

Fighting continues along a roughly 1,250-kilometre front line, with Russia pressing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and Ukraine striking deep inside Russian territory, including oil refineries and other war-related targets.

Earlier this week, Trump also urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to act quickly to secure a peace agreement.

When asked about progress in negotiations and reports that Washington wanted Kyiv to hold elections by the summer, Trump avoided a direct response but said Zelenskyy “has to get moving."

“Russia wants to make a deal and Zelensky is going to have to get moving, otherwise he’s going to miss a great opportunity," Trump said. “He has to move."

Geneva Talks

Against this backdrop, Russian and Ukrainian envoys are expected to take part in a fresh round of United States-brokered talks in Geneva next week.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the trilateral discussions would be held on February 17-18, following two earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi. The talks were also confirmed by Zelenskyy’s communications adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn.

The negotiations are expected to build on earlier discussions that focused on military issues, including a possible buffer zone and mechanisms to monitor any ceasefire.

The previous Abu Dhabi rounds were reportedly led by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

One of the most contentious issues remains the future of Ukraine’s Donbas industrial region.

Russia is pushing for Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining areas of the eastern Donetsk region still under Kyiv’s control, while Ukraine has rejected any unilateral pullback.

Kyiv has instead demanded strong Western security guarantees to prevent Russia from renewing its offensive if a ceasefire is reached.

Zelenskyy said last week that the United States had set a June deadline for the warring sides to reach a deal, although earlier ultimatums issued by Trump have yet to produce a breakthrough.

Moscow’s delegation for the upcoming talks will reportedly be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who previously headed failed negotiations in Turkey in March 2022.

News world 'Ended Eight Wars But...': Trump Calls Russia-Ukraine Conflict A 'Mess', Says It Takes Two To Tango

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