Zelensky should focus on a peace deal, not public discussions, says Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Volodymyr Zelensky should focus primarily on reaching agreements to settle the conflict in Ukraine.

The American leader made the statement on October 12 while speaking with journalists outside the White House before departing for the state of Ohio.

Commenting on criticism from fellow Republicans over the Moscow-Washington diesel fuel arrangements, Trump stressed that the agreement is intended for the international market and could significantly affect the situation in the energy sector.

At the same time, Trump urged the Ukrainian leader to focus on practical steps toward concluding a peace deal rather than on public discussions. According to him, a personal meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky is necessary to end the conflict.

Trump expressed confidence that both sides are interested in reaching an agreement but do not yet understand how to get there.

“I think they [both sides] want to make a deal but don’t know how to do it. But we will get them to make a deal,” Trump said.

It was previously reported that Zelensky had gone silent following the American president’s statement about the need for a change of power in Ukraine.