Trump Says Ukraine Peace Talks ‘Reasonably Good’ As Zelenskyy Calls For ‘Pressure On Russia’

Last Updated:December 04, 2025, 08:06 IST

Donald Trump said his envoys reported that Vladimir Putin appears willing to pursue a negotiated settlement to end the conflict.

US President Donald Trump. (Image: REUTERS)

As diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine gather pace, United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have returned from Moscow after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their briefing to the White House has added a fresh layer of interest to the ongoing discussions aimed at reaching a peace settlement.

Trump envoys see Putin ready for deal

Speaking about the talks, President Trump described the meeting between Witkoff and Putin as “reasonably good". However, he admitted that the final outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.

Trump noted that while the United States may have mapped out a possible direction for an agreement, any breakthrough ultimately depends on both sides. “What comes out of that meeting? I can’t tell you, because it does take two to tango," he said. He added that he felt “very satisfied" with the initial outlines that had been discussed.

According to Trump, Witkoff and Kushner came away from the talks with the belief that Putin is interested in ending the conflict. Their assessment suggested that the Russian leader wants to return to a more stable relationship with the United States and move away from the heavy military losses Russia has faced. “I think he’d like to get back to dealing a more normal life… instead of losing thousands of soldiers a week," Trump said.

The envoys reportedly told Trump that Putin is keen on reaching a negotiated settlement. Their impression was that Russia wants to resume trade and broader engagement with the West, something that has been sharply restricted since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

While Trump remained cautious about predicting results, he suggested that the framework of a potential agreement is beginning to take shape. Still, he acknowledged that negotiations are complex and will require willingness from all parties involved.

Zelenskyy says, “Peace Depends on Ukraine’s interests"

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing diplomatic activity, confirming that further discussions involving the United States are being prepared. He said that once the American team completes its consultations in Washington, Ukraine’s negotiating group, led by Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov, would resume talks with Trump’s envoys.

Zelenskyy stressed that recent meetings in Geneva and Florida had shown that Ukraine’s voice was being heard. “Ukraine was heard, and Ukraine was listened to. And that matters," he said.

He emphasised that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s interests and that pressure on Russia remains essential. “A dignified peace is only possible if Ukraine’s interests are taken into account," Zelenskyy said, adding that meaningful diplomacy must be combined with firm pressure on Moscow. 

He added, “Right now, the world clearly feels that there is a real opportunity to end the war, and current diplomatic activity in negotiations must be backed by pressure on Russia. Everything depends on this combination – constructive diplomacy plus pressure on the aggressor. Both components work toward peace."

News world Trump Says Ukraine Peace Talks ‘Reasonably Good’ As Zelenskyy Calls For ‘Pressure On Russia’

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