Trump says Putin and Zelensky both want Ukraine war ended
Synopsis
Trump says both Putin and Zelensky want the Ukraine war over — and claims talks are closer to a breakthrough than the world realises. With the NATO Summit imminent and drone warfare intensifying, his personal diplomacy is now the West's most watched — and most contested — variable in ending Europe's deadliest conflict in decades.
Key Takeaways
President Trump said on Monday, 7 July 2025 that both Putin and Zelensky want to end the Ukraine war .
Trump described a recent call with Putin as 'a very good call' and expressed optimism about a negotiated settlement.
The Ukraine conflict is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming NATO Summit .
Trump cited 36,000 deaths in one month and flagged escalating drone warfare as key features of the conflict.
Trump claimed his administration has 'ended eight wars' , a figure he did not substantiate.
US President Donald Trump on Monday, 7 July 2025, said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to end the war in Ukraine, expressing confidence that peace negotiations are advancing further than publicly acknowledged. Trump made the remarks at the White House following the launch of his 'Trump Accounts' investment programme, just ahead of his departure for the NATO Summit.
What Trump Said
Speaking to reporters, Trump described a recent phone call with Putin as 'a very good call' and said he remained optimistic despite the continuation of hostilities. 'I think we're getting much closer than people realise,' he said. 'President Putin wants it to end. I will tell you that very strongly. And President Zelensky actually wants it to end now.'
When pressed on why Putin continued military strikes after their conversation, Trump said: 'I think he does feel pressure. He wants to end it, and Ukraine wants to end it, and we're in talks, and we'll see if we can get it ended.'
NATO Summit in Focus
Trump indicated that the Ukraine conflict would dominate the agenda at the upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) leaders' summit. 'We're going to be going to NATO, and we're going to be talking about it,' he said. 'I think we're going to get it ended.' The war in Ukraine is widely expected to be one of the alliance's principal agenda items at the summit.
Casualties and Drone Warfare
Trump described the conflict as one of the world's deadliest ongoing wars, citing what he said were mounting battlefield losses. 'Thirty-six thousand people were killed in one month,' he said, without specifying a source for the figure. He also highlighted the growing role of unmanned aerial systems on the battlefield, saying: 'Drone technology... they're killing machines. You hide behind a tree, and it goes and gets you.'
Trump's Broader Claim on Ending Wars
Trump contrasted the Ukraine conflict with other international crises, claiming his administration had helped prevent wider wars. 'I ended eight wars,' he said, adding that he had expected the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be 'an easier one' because he knew both leaders personally. The claim that he has ended eight wars has not been independently verified and was not elaborated upon. This comes amid persistent scepticism from European allies and defence analysts about the pace and sincerity of ceasefire negotiations, with no formal framework yet publicly confirmed.
Point of View
Yet no formal framework has emerged. The 36,000-deaths-in-a-month figure went unattributed, and the 'eight wars ended' assertion invites scrutiny. What's missing from Trump's optimism is a mechanism: who mediates, on what terms, and with what security guarantees for Ukraine. European NATO allies, already anxious about US commitment to the alliance, will be watching whether the summit produces a concrete roadmap or another round of presidential assurances.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the Ukraine war on 7 July 2025?
Trump said he believes both Putin and Zelensky want to end the war in Ukraine, describing a recent call with Putin as 'a very good call' and expressing confidence that negotiations are further along than publicly recognised. He made the remarks at the White House ahead of the NATO Summit.
Will Ukraine be discussed at the NATO Summit?
Yes. Trump confirmed that Ukraine would be a central topic at the upcoming NATO leaders' summit, saying 'we're going to be talking about it' and expressing hope that a resolution could be reached. The conflict is expected to be one of the alliance's top agenda items.
How many casualties did Trump cite in the Ukraine war?
Trump said 36,000 people were killed in one month, describing the conflict as one of the world's deadliest ongoing wars. He did not specify a source for the figure.
What did Trump say about drone warfare in Ukraine?
Trump highlighted the growing role of unmanned aerial systems, saying drone technology had become a defining feature of the battlefield. 'You hide behind a tree, and it goes and gets you,' he said.
Has Trump claimed to have ended other wars?
Yes. Trump claimed his administration has 'ended eight wars', contrasting those situations with the Ukraine conflict, which he said he had expected to be easier to resolve because he knew both Putin and Zelensky personally. The claim was not elaborated upon or independently verified.
