Trump Suggests Ukraine and Russia Resolve War Independently, Claims Ukrainian Media

Ukrainian news outlets reported on June 5 that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin should resolve their conflict independently, while implying Trump had already played a role in bringing them to that point. The statement, attributed to Trump in reports from Ukraine Online and associated Telegram channels, represents a notable shift in Trump’s public positioning on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to reports from Ukrainian media sources, Trump stated: “Let them handle this themselves. It is I who brought them to this point, and I think it will be resolved. I think we are approaching a moment when the question between Russia and Ukraine should be decided.” The remarks were shared across multiple Ukrainian news platforms, though the original context and full remarks have not been independently verified through Western news outlets.

This reported statement comes amid broader diplomatic uncertainty regarding Trump’s approach to the conflict. In April 2026, Zelenskyy had publicly stated that Trump’s signals were “closer to Russia” than to Ukrainian interests, according to Ukrainian media reports. The current statement appears consistent with those earlier concerns about Trump’s positioning on the war.

The timing of the reported remarks is significant given ongoing military operations. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated on June 4 that Ukrainian forces were bringing the war back to “their native port,” where it should end, emphasizing Ukraine’s strategic focus on reclaiming territory. Simultaneously, reports indicate the Security Service of Ukraine coordinated new operations against Russian forces.

Trump, the 47th president of the United States who previously served from 2017 to 2021, has positioned himself as capable of negotiating an end to the conflict. However, the substance and implications of his proposed resolution mechanism remain unclear. Ukrainian sources have expressed skepticism about whether Trump’s approach would protect Ukrainian sovereignty or territorial integrity.

The reports originate exclusively from Ukrainian news channels and Telegram services, which have not been corroborated by independent international news organizations. The characterization of Trump’s statements and their implications reflects the perspective of Ukrainian media outlets reporting on U.S. policy toward the war. Without direct verification from Trump’s official statements or Western news sources, the precise wording and context of his remarks cannot be independently confirmed ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

The reported comments have intensified debate within Ukrainian political circles about U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s position in any negotiated settlement. Whether Trump’s statement represents a formal policy position or informal commentary remains unclear from available reporting.