United States President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as he seeks a diplomatic solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, while renewing calls for Ukraine to consider replacing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in negotiations with Moscow.
Trump made the remarks on Monday while leaving the White House for a campaign rally in Kansas, saying his priority was to end the conflict, regardless of whether Zelenskyy participated in a proposed high-level meeting.
“Anything I can do to end the war, whether somebody’s there or not,” Trump told reporters, according to CNBC, when asked about reports that Putin had suggested a meeting.
The comments came amid growing disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over the Trump administration’s handling of the conflict, particularly its approach to sanctions against Russia and the provision of military and intelligence support to Ukraine.
Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s criticism of his decision to waive certain provisions of a new sanctions package targeting Russia, arguing that the Ukrainian leader should have secured an end to the war earlier.
“Zelenskyy doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Trump said.
He added that Ukraine might need a different representative to negotiate with Russia, saying, “I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.”
The latest exchange followed concerns raised by Zelenskyy over reported disruptions to Starlink and Starshield satellite services operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, as well as the suspension of certain US intelligence-sharing arrangements with Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine had yet to receive an explanation from Washington regarding the reported satellite service disruptions. He also warned that the loss of intelligence support had affected the country’s ability to obtain advance information about potential Russian attacks.
He made the remarks after discussions with bipartisan members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.
Trump said he did not know who had ordered any interruption to the satellite services but expressed interest in investigating the matter.
“I’d like to find out,” he said.
Musk had previously attributed responsibility for any slowdown in the services to the US government and Trump, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that Washington had caused the disruption.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also cautioned Zelenskyy against making what he described as inaccurate public statements about the issue.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president criticised Washington’s decision to ease certain sanctions on Russia, linking the move to continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy told US lawmakers that he had presented photographs of a Russian strike in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region that killed six people, including a woman and her one-year-old child.
“This is how Russia responds to the lifting of sanctions and the easing of pressure,” he said.
Following their meeting with Zelenskyy, US Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, and Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, criticised the administration’s approach to Moscow.
In a joint statement, the lawmakers argued that measures affecting Russia’s access to revenue and Ukraine’s military capabilities could undermine efforts to end the conflict.
“Funding Russia’s war machine, disabling Ukraine’s satellite communications, and crippling its air defense are all impediments to peace,” they said.
They also warned against making concessions to Putin, arguing that such an approach could prolong the war and increase casualties.
Trump has faced criticism from lawmakers across party lines over his administration’s recent decisions concerning Russia, including an arrangement allowing Russian diesel supplies to reach international markets despite existing sanctions.
Defending his continued engagement with Moscow, Trump said his administration was pursuing discussions on several international issues, including the war in Ukraine, Iran, diesel supplies and hostage releases.
His latest comments highlight the continuing differences between Washington and Kyiv over the path to ending the conflict, with Trump advocating direct engagement with Putin while Zelenskyy continues to call for sustained pressure on Russia.
