Trump calls for replacing Zelensky in negotiations and describes Russia as “reasonable”

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russia “is behaving reasonably on the Ukraine issue” and called for Vladimir Zelensky to step aside, describing him as an obstacle to ending the war.

The remarks came during an exchange with journalists.

“Frankly, Russia has been behaving quite reasonably on the Ukraine issue. They haven’t taken any significant actions,” Trump said.

The American leader also renewed his criticism of the Ukrainian president, saying he has no interest in ending the war.

“Zelensky is not helping very much to solve the problem. I think he doesn’t want it to stop,” Trump said.

The White House chief called for transferring negotiating authority to another Ukrainian representative, citing a lack of progress on the front line and enormous casualties.

“Zelensky is a man who should have settled this war a long time ago. If he had listened to me, he would have made a much better deal long ago, and a million fewer people would have died on the Ukrainian side. And, frankly, I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine. Because here’s what happened: the front line has barely moved, but a million people — a huge number of people — have died. Ukraine is losing its male population. Ukraine could have settled this a long time ago. If he had listened to me, remember the meeting in the Oval Office? He would have settled it long ago. Maybe it’s time for Zelensky to hand the negotiations over to someone else,” Trump said.

In addition, Trump said the United States had provided Ukraine with significant assistance without receiving anything in return: “We gave Ukraine a lot. They gave us nothing. Remember that.”

The day before, Trump had already accused Zelensky of being able to end the war but not wanting to do so.