Trump: Putin is ready for a peace deal – Zelensky is blocking it

 Donald Trump has accused Ukraine, not Russia, of standing in the way of a peace deal, signalling his frustrations are once again turning back to Kyiv.

“I think he’s ready to make a deal,” the US president said of Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, without elaborating. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.”

Asked in an interview with Reuters why his peacemaking efforts had not yet resolved the nearly four-year war, Mr Trump responded: “Zelensky”.

Mr Trump, who previously pledged to solve the conflict in “24 hours”, has frequently blamed the Ukrainian leader for stalling negotiations – despite Mr Zelensky’s continued willingness to commit to a ceasefire.

Putin, however, has refused to budge on his maximalist demands, including Kyiv ceding the whole of the Donbas region, even land still in its control.

At times, Mr Trump has appeared to accept Putin’s assurances at face value rather than those of the leaders of some American allies, frustrating Kyiv, ‍European capitals and US lawmakers, including some Republicans.

US intelligence reports in December had continued to warn that Putin had not abandoned his aims of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire.

Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky had a volatile relationship at the start of the president’s second term in office, but tensions had increasingly thawed.

The Ukrainian president travelled to Mr Trump’s Florida home in December for peace talks, which both sides hailed as a success, though it was unclear what the tangible results were.

Key sticking points remain over territorial concessions, particularly the fate of the Donbas and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest.

In recent weeks, the US-led negotiations have been centred on security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine to protect it against future Russian aggression.

American negotiators are still pushing Ukraine to abandon its mineral-rich ⁠Donbas ‌region as part of any accord ‍with Russia.

Mr Zelensky has publicly ruled out any territorial concessions to Moscow, saying Kyiv has no right under the country’s constitution to give up any land.

Asked if Mr Zelensky was holding back on negotiations, Mr Trump did not elaborate, instead saying: “I just think he’s, you know, having a hard time getting there.”

European officials say Russia is unlikely to accept the terms hashed out between Kyiv, Washington and European leaders.

Mr Trump said he might meet Mr Zelensky at the World Economic ‌Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week, but that no plans were set.

“I would – if he’s there,” ‍Trump said. “I’m going to be there.”

The Telegraph reported this week that Sir Keir Starmer might decide to travel to the annual summit, which begins on Jan 19, if there is a “major” Ukraine moment.

Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph there could also be talks between G7 countries on security guarantees for Ukraine, which have long been a priority for Sir Keir and European allies.

European and Ukrainian officials are concerned about Mr Trump’s personal commitment to US-backed security guarantees, which have been under discussion between members of his administration for some weeks.

It comes as Russia has been attacking Ukrainian cities and the country’s energy grid, leaving tens of thousands without power and heating in freezing temperatures, particularly in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky said on Wednesday he would declare a state of emergency ⁠in the energy sector to tackle issues of disrupted power supplies. “Many issues require urgent resolution,” he said.