US President Donald Trump speaks, as he makes a joint appearance with Vice President JD Vance (not pictured) in the Oval Office to announce a whistleblower program to encourage the public to report alleged fraud, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, suggesting his country faces an increasingly grim future unless he reaches a deal with Russia.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump argued that Russia’s military advantage would only grow as the war drags on.
“Ukraine has to want to settle this war. Zelensky has to want to settle this war. And if he doesn’t, I think it’s going to be a very bad thing,” Trump said.
The president went on to complain about the billions of dollars the United States has spent supporting Ukraine, arguing that American taxpayers have received little in return.
“We want Zelensky to make a deal. He can make a deal,” Trump insisted. The president also suggested Zelensky wasted earlier opportunities to negotiate better terms.
“Could have made a good deal then. Could have made a much better deal then, probably, possibly than he can make now,” he said.
Trump then pointed to Russia’s larger population while appearing to praise the country’s military’s resources as reasons Ukraine should negotiate.
“And if they don’t make a deal, ultimately it’s just going to get, in my opinion, it’s just really just going to get worse.”
Trump also claimed that personal animosity between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin was a major obstacle to ending the war.