Trump says ‘hatred’ between Zelensky, Putin is main obstacle to ending war

President Trump said during a Sunday appearance on “60 minutes” that the “hatred between” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin is one of the primary obstacles toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.

CBS News’s Ross Douthat questioned Trump about his promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war , a claim he touted during his most recent campaign run. Douthat asked the president what the biggest obstacle to peace has been for the war, which is now almost in its fifth year.

“It was the hatred between Zelensky and Putin. If I had been president that war would’ve never started. Zero chance. But it did start. So I inherited that war. I believe we’re very close to making a deal,” Trump responded.

Douthat then asked the president if there was one party he trusted more than the other.

“I’d rather not say, but I get along with both. I believe that that war is going to end, and it’s going to end soon. And the only reason it’s going to end is because of me. There is tremendous hatred between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump added.

Douthat told the president that Zelensky’s feelings might be understandable since it was Russia that invaded Ukraine.

“Well, it is. But when they had their first meeting there was great disrespect shown to Russia. So I’m not going to say anything,” Trump said. “Let’s put it this way: the war never happened during my four years, and it was never going to happen, even though it was the apple of President Putin’s eye.”

The president in recent months has blamed the Russia-Ukraine war for rising fuel costs, which posed a significant political problem for the GOP heading into the midterms and may have contributed to Tuesday’s “blue wave.”

Last month, Trump announced that both countries agreed to an energy ceasefire in a Truth Social post. Shortly after, however, Russia struck a power plant in eastern Ukraine.

In an effort to alleviate the global oil and gas markets, which have been strained by the war in Iran, the president also announced a diesel diel with Russia , drawing sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers .

Sen. Thom Tillis (R- N.C.) called the agreement “beyond irresponsible.”

Zelensky in response told NBC News’s Kristen Welker, “If United States will support Putin, I mean, it’s unbelievable, it’s tragedy, it’s historic mistake and big tragedy.”