The White House · Report · File No. 261109-410
Trump blames 'hatred' between Zelensky and Putin for stalled Ukraine peace talks
In a '60 Minutes' interview, Trump said personal hatred between the two leaders is the main obstacle to ending the war, and that a deal is close. He also denied lifting sanctions on Russian diesel.
Every quote in this story (1) was matched word for word against its source. How we work
President Trump said Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes" that the "hatred between" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin is a primary obstacle to ending the Russia-Ukraine war 1. The war is now almost in its fifth year 1.
CBS interviewer Ross Douthat asked Trump about his campaign promise to end the war. Trump answered that he "inherited that war" and said that if he had been president, it would never have started 1.
I believe we're very close to making a deal
Who does Trump trust?
Douthat asked whether Trump trusted one leader more than the other. Trump said he would "rather not say, but I get along with both" 2. He added that the war will end soon and that "the only reason it's gonna end is because of me" 2.
Douthat noted that Zelensky's feelings may be understandable, since Russia invaded his country. Trump agreed, but said that at the leaders' first meeting "there was great disrespect shown to Russia" 2. Asked whether Putin might be stringing him along, Trump said, "Oh, I don't think so" 2.
From Channel GOPTrump's 'find 11,780 votes' call played at hearingDonald Trump · 306 plays · captioned, with the source named
Trump also said he expects Ukraine to end up with "a little bit different shape" after a deal 2. He did not explain what that means.
Diesel and sanctions
Douthat pressed Trump on the administration's recent diesel deal with Russia. Trump said, "I didn't lift diesel sanctions" 2. He said he made it possible for Russia to supply "thousands and thousands of barrels of oil" to the world 2.
The Hill reported that Trump announced the deal to ease strain on global oil and gas markets, which the war in Iran has squeezed. It drew sharp criticism from Democratic and Republican lawmakers 1. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) sharply criticized the deal as irresponsible 1.
What happens next
CBS reported that the interview came just days before Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations were scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. It would be their first meeting since February 2.
Last month, Trump announced on Truth Social that both countries had agreed to an energy ceasefire. Soon afterward, Russia struck a power plant in eastern Ukraine 1. Zelensky told NBC News that if the United States supports Putin, it would be a "historic mistake and big tragedy" 1.
Why it matters
That matters because Trump framed the stalemate as a clash of personalities. He did not point to Russia's invasion or to any concession Moscow has made. Trump also said he would not say which leader he trusts more 2.
The politics are plain, too. The Hill reported that Trump has blamed the war for rising fuel costs, a political problem for Republicans heading into Tuesday's election, and one that may have contributed to the "blue wave" 1. Trump says a deal is near. His earlier energy ceasefire announcement was followed by a Russian strike 1.
The Record
- Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Truth Social; Russia then struck a power plant in eastern Ukraine (The Hill reported this as 'last month'; exact date not given) 1.
- Trump told CBS's '60 Minutes' that hatred between Zelensky and Putin was the obstacle, and that a deal was close 12.
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Sources
- The Hill, “Trump says 'hatred' between Zelensky, Putin is main obstacle to ending war” (2026-11-09). thehill.com/homenews/6207193-trump-blames-zelensky-putin-hat
- CBS News, “60 Minutes Transcript: Donald Trump, the 2026 post-midterm elections interview” (2026-11-08). cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-2026-post-midterm-elections-in
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