US President Donald Trump signaled he is stepping back from direct mediation between Russia and Ukraine, saying he wants Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to meet face-to-face before he considers joining the talks. “They don’t get along too well – it’s like oil and vinegar,” Trump told reporters in Washington on Friday, adding that he would “rather not” attend unless necessary. Earlier in the week Trump said he “hopes President Putin will be good; if not, it’s going to be a rough situation,” and urged Zelensky to “show some flexibility.” He confirmed that aides are working to arrange the bilateral encounter and that he will “watch to see” whether the two leaders can cooperate. The remarks mark a more cautious stance from the White House after Trump repeatedly claimed he could end the conflict quickly. Administration officials now describe the strategy as a wait-and-see approach aimed at gauging whether Moscow and Kyiv are prepared to negotiate before Washington convenes a broader peace summit.