Trump says Zelensky could have got a better deal two years ago, urges Ukraine to settle
In short
US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, in a post reported on 19 October, that Volodymyr Zelensky could have made a more favourable deal two years ago than he can now. On 20 October Russian outlets reported him urging Kyiv to seek a settlement and warning that the situation would worsen without one.
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US President Donald Trump said that Volodymyr Zelensky could have made a better peace deal two years ago than he can now, RIA Novosti and Interfax reported on 19 October. Interfax said Trump wrote the remark on Truth Social: "Two years ago he could have made a deal on more favourable terms than he can now." [ 1 , 2 ]
According to Interfax, Trump added that Ukraine lies in ruins, has lost much territory and access to oceans and seas, and has a low male population, with men wounded or killed. Later on 19 October Interfax reported that Trump said on Monday that Zelensky should long ago have settled the conflict, and could have done so on good terms had he listened to Washington's advice. [ 2 , 4 ]
RIA Novosti recalled that Trump had repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction with Zelensky's unwillingness to reach peace agreements and to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries. It also said he had stated that Ukraine needs a new leader who can reach agreement with Russia. [ 1 ]
On 20 October TASS and RIA Novosti headlines reported Trump saying that Ukraine and Zelensky should seek a settlement and that the United States wants Zelensky to conclude a deal. RIA Novosti headlines also repeated that Zelensky could have made a deal on favourable terms two years ago and said Trump warned Ukraine of consequences if it refuses to end the conflict. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
RBC reported that Trump told a press conference that if Ukraine does not conclude a peace deal, the situation will only get worse for it. Interfax, citing Trump on Tuesday, reported that Kyiv should conclude an agreement and that the situation would not change for the better later. It quoted him as saying: "Ukraine must want to conclude an agreement." [ 9 , 10 ]
Why it matters
The coverage comes from Russian outlets and records Trump pressing Kyiv to reach a peace agreement. The documents do not report any Ukrainian response or any change in talks.
Key facts
- Trump wrote that two years ago Zelensky could have made a deal on more favourable terms than he can now. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
- Interfax said the statement was made on Truth Social and quoted Trump as saying Ukraine lies in ruins, has lost much territory and access to oceans and seas, and has a low male population, with men wounded or killed. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reported that Trump said on Monday that Zelensky could long ago have settled the conflict with Russia on good terms had he listened to Washington's advice. [ 4 ]
- On 20 October Trump said Ukraine should want to conclude an agreement and that the situation would not change for the better later, Interfax reported. [ 10 ]
- RBC reported that Trump told a press conference that if Ukraine does not conclude a peace deal, the situation will only get worse for it. [ 9 ]
- RIA Novosti's 19 October report said Trump had previously criticised Zelensky for unwillingness to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries and had said Ukraine needs a new leader able to reach agreement with Russia. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the 19 October Truth Social post and the statements of 20 October were separate remarks. Documents report a post on 19 October and, for 20 October, a press conference (RBC) and a statement on Tuesday (Interfax); the headlines of other outlets give no setting.
- Ukraine's response. None of the documents quote Zelensky or Ukrainian officials.
- What 'very bad consequences' would involve. RBC's headline uses the phrase, but the available text does not specify them.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 19 October RIA Novosti reported Trump's statement that Zelensky could have got a better deal two years ago. [ 1 ]
- On 19 October Interfax reported the Truth Social post with Trump's remarks on Ukraine's losses. [ 2 ]
- On 19 October Interfax reported Trump as saying on Monday that Zelensky should long ago have settled the conflict. [ 4 ]
- On 20 October TASS reported Trump saying Ukraine and Zelensky should seek a settlement. [ 5 ]
- On 20 October RBC reported Trump's warning of very bad consequences without peace, made at a press conference. [ 9 ]
- On 20 October Interfax reported Trump saying Ukraine must want to conclude an agreement. [ 10 ]