Trump denies understanding with Putin that Russia gets all of Donbas
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to highlight U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about Ukraine's Donbas.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 12 that there is no understanding between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow should get all of Ukraine's Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.
The remarks come as Russia's territorial demands remain the main obstacle in the U.S.-mediated peace talks, fueling concerns in Kyiv that Washington could support Moscow's position.
"No," Trump said when asked by reporters whether he and Putin had any understanding that Russia should receive all of Donbas.
Ukraine maintains that freezing the current front line is the most realistic basis for a ceasefire. Russia, meanwhile, insists Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of Donbas as a condition for any settlement — a demand Kyiv has rejected.
The U.S. president also said he believes Russia's war is nearing an end and that Moscow and Kyiv are moving closer to a settlement, echoing similar comments made days earlier by Putin.
"The end of the war in Ukraine... I really think it's getting very close," Trump told reporters.
The U.S. president's remarks followed comments Putin made on May 9 during a Kremlin press conference after scaled-down Victory Day celebrations.
Asked about the possibility of traveling to Russia as part of diplomatic efforts, Trump said he would do "whatever is necessary" to broker a peace deal, adding that it is "getting closer."
U.S.-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have remained stalled for more than two months, while Washington has increasingly shifted its focus toward Iran and related diplomatic efforts.
While Kyiv has been seeking to restart negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in April that talks with Ukraine are not currently a priority for Moscow.
