Overview
- In an NBC News interview published March 15, Trump said he was surprised Volodymyr Zelensky had not moved faster toward negotiations.
- He asserted Vladimir Putin is prepared to reach a deal and urged Zelensky to pursue an agreement.
- Trump argued Zelensky has been tougher to bargain with than Moscow.
- The remarks continue Trump’s long-standing push for diplomacy as Western policymakers debate talks versus sustained military pressure.
- Ukraine maintains any settlement must protect its territorial integrity, and Russia is still pressing its own demands as fighting persists.