United States President Donald Trump on Friday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy was received at the White House by President Trump. During the bilateral lunch, the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This meeting came after Trump had earlier confirmed his meeting with the Ukrainian President following his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
What did Trump say on Zelenskyy-Putin Relations?
Speaking during the lunch, President Trump remarked on the strained relationship between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “They don’t like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood.” Trump acknowledged that this tension has been a major obstacle to reaching a settlement, but expressed confidence that progress is possible. “I think we’re going to get it done,” he said, emphasising the need for a long-lasting resolution.
Drawing a comparison to peace efforts in the Middle East, Trump noted that Middle East is much more complicated situation. He also revealed that he had a “very good talk” with Putin the day before and believes Putin is committed to resolving the conflict.
“They don’t like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is holding up, I think, a settlement. I think we’re going to get it done. And we have to make it long-lasting, as I said in the Middle East, everlasting. The Middle East is a much more complicated situation. We had 59 countries involved, and every one of them agreed. Most people didn’t think that was doable. This is going to be something I really believe that’s going to get done. I had very good talk yesterday with President Putin. I think he wants to get it done,” Trump stated.
#WATCH | US President Trump participates in a bilateral lunch with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Trump says, "…They (President Zelenskyy and President Putin) don't like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of… pic.twitter.com/YOdySO99az
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2025
Notably, Trump on Thursday had spoken to Russian President Putin and termed their conversation “very productive”. The two leaders discussed future US-Russia trade relations, and prospects for ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump asserted that both sides have agreed to hold high-level talks next week, followed by a possible meeting between him and Putin.
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