Trump: peace deal with Russia and Ukraine could be weeks away

Trump told reporters that significant progress was made during the discussions and said the parties may be close to an agreement after weeks of intensified diplomatic engagement.

“We could be very close,” Trump said. “There are one or two very thorny issues, but I think we’re doing very well. We made a lot of progress today.”

Trump said the remaining unresolved issues largely center on territorial disputes stemming from land seized during the conflict.

“The land,” Trump said when asked what issues remain. “Some of that land has been taken. You’re better off making a deal now.”

Trump said he held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the conversation as substantive and focused on resolving the war.

“I was on the phone with him for almost two-and-a-half hours,” Trump said. “We discussed a lot of things. We didn’t talk about the weather.”

Trump said he believes all parties involved want the war to end and emphasized the human cost of continued fighting.

“Everybody wants it ended,” Trump said. “I want it ended because I don’t want to see so many people dying.”

Asked how long it may take to finalize a deal, Trump said the outcome should become clear within weeks.

“In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other,” he said. “It’s been a very difficult negotiation.”

Trump also said he would be willing to travel to Ukraine if it would help bring the conflict to an end.

“If it would help save 25,000 lives a month, I would certainly be willing to do that,” Trump said.

Following the meeting, Trump announced the formation of a working group to continue negotiations, naming Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Gen. “Razin” Caine, Marco Rubio, and others, and said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be included.