Former US President Donald Trump, in an exclusive interview with Reuters on January 14, 2026, claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the primary impediment to a peace deal with Russia, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to conclude the nearly four-year-old conflict. Trump explicitly stated, 'I think he's ready to make a deal' concerning Putin, while adding, 'I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.' When pressed on why US-led negotiations had failed to resolve the conflict, Trump responded simply: 'Zelenskyy.' This stance sharply contrasts with the views of many European allies, who consistently argue that Moscow has shown little genuine interest in ending the war. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed Trump's sentiment, stating that Moscow agrees Zelenskyy is holding back the peace process and that Ukraine's negotiating position is worsening daily. Zelenskyy, for his part, has publicly maintained that Ukraine cannot make territorial concessions to Moscow, citing constitutional restrictions. Recent reports also indicate that US-led negotiations have focused on security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine, with suggestions for Kyiv to relinquish the eastern Donbas region as part of a settlement, a point of contention for Ukraine. Despite Trump's remarks suggesting renewed frustration with the Ukrainian leader, the broader context of ongoing peace efforts, including a US-backed 20-point peace plan, continues to be discussed.