Trump Urges Zelensky Flexibility as He Seeks Putin-Ukraine Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky must demonstrate greater “flexibility” as Washington intensifies efforts to broker an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. In a Fox News interview aired Tuesday, Trump said European governments are eager to see the conflict resolved and that both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin need to soften their stances. Trump added that the success of his relationship with Putin “only matters if we get things done,” indicating that he is arranging an initial meeting between Putin and Zelensky and will assess his own participation afterward. He described the situation as potentially “rough” if Putin proves uncooperative but expressed hope the Russian leader will engage constructively. The remarks underscore the White House’s push to convene direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv after more than three years of fighting in eastern Ukraine. While Trump did not outline specific concessions he expects from either side, his comments signal mounting U.S. pressure on Kyiv as well as Moscow to negotiate a settlement palatable to European allies.