Trump tells Zelenskyy to 'make a deal' with Russia, says US has got 'nothing back' from Ukraine

US president presses for negotiations as Ukrainian leader meets US envoy in Oslo

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Updated20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach a deal with Russia, complaining that Washington had received nothing in return for its support of Kyiv. His remarks came shortly after Zelenskyy held talks in Oslo with a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said: "We want Zelenskyy to make a deal. He can make a deal." He appeared to reference his heated Oval Office exchange with Zelenskyy in early 2025, adding: "He could have made a deal two years ago when we had our little chat in the Oval Office." Trump insisted that Zelenskyy "is going to have to want to make a deal, because I don't think his people are going to stand for it any longer."

Trump, who is preparing for midterm elections, repeatedly blamed Zelenskyy for the ongoing war and said the US had received "nothing back" for its help, "except grief, death," and "tremendous monetary loss." He added: "We have given tremendous amounts to Ukraine; we've got nothing back. Other than high diesel. The American taxpayers are tired of it. It's time to make a deal."

Trump's comments came after Zelenskyy met a US delegation headed by Witkoff in Oslo, alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Following the talks, Zelenskyy sounded cautiously optimistic, telling journalists he had recently held a constructive call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and calling for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin. He also thanked the US for intelligence sharing, saying: "I'm speaking about early warning, what is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming."

In a social media post, Zelenskyy said the talks were "constructive because all of us want peace – Ukraine, Europe, the United States. And we will see what happens tomorrow."

The relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been volatile since Trump began his second term in January last year. It has worsened in recent weeks after Trump struck a diesel deal with Putin and criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy sector for affecting global fuel prices.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The US is Ukraine's largest military and financial backer; Trump's pressure for a deal signals a potential shift in American policy that could affect the course of the war and Kyiv's negotiating position.
Trump's complaints about US taxpayer expense and the reference to diesel prices suggest economic and domestic political considerations are driving his approach, with midterm elections looming.
The upcoming Witkoff-Putin meeting in Russia and Zelenskyy's call for trilateral talks could lead to new peace negotiations or increased tensions among the parties.

Background

Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have been difficult since Trump returned to office in January 2025, marked by a notable Oval Office clash in early 2025. In recent weeks, the two have sparred over a US-Russia diesel deal and Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The Oslo meeting, which included Nordic leaders and a US envoy, is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war, though no concrete agreement has been reported.

Key Perspectives

Trump: Argues that Ukraine has received substantial US support without reciprocal benefits, and that it is time for Kyiv to negotiate an end to the war. He frames the issue as a burden on American taxpayers. Zelenskyy: Appears open to further diplomacy, seeking a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin, while emphasising the importance of continued intelligence support for civilian safety. His comments suggest he still hopes for a constructive US role. European leaders (Stubb and Støre): Their presence in Oslo underscores European engagement in the peace process, though their specific positions are not detailed in the sources. Critics/Skeptics: Some, like EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (according to an earlier report cited), have accused the US of pushing Ukraine to surrender on Putin's terms. The sources do not include a direct response from Russia.

What to Watch

Outcome of Witkoff's planned meeting with Putin on Wednesday: any signals of a potential US-Russia framework for peace.
Whether Zelenskyy's proposal for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin gains traction or is rejected.
Reactions in Ukraine and among European allies to Trump's public pressure, which may affect unity in supporting Ukraine.

Sources

‘I don’t care how it’s done’: Trump pressures Ukraine to cut peace deal · Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
'Time to make a deal,' Trump tells Zelenskyy as he complains US has got 'nothing back' from Ukraine · Euronews

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

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SupportedTrump told Zelenskyy to “make a deal” with Russia and said the US had got “nothing back” from Ukraine.Euronews: “US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “make a deal” with Russia as he complained that the United States had received “nothing back” for its support for Kyiv.”
SupportedThe US president pressed for negotiations while Zelenskyy met a US envoy in Oslo.Euronews: “Trump's comments came shortly after Zelenskyy met with a US delegation headed by special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo.”
SupportedTrump called on Zelenskyy to reach a deal with Russia on Tuesday, complaining Washington had received nothing in return for supporting Kyiv.Euronews: “US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “make a deal” with Russia as he complained that the United States had received “nothing back” for its support for Kyiv.”
SupportedTrump said, “We want Zelenskyy to make a deal. He can make a deal.”Euronews: “Speaking to the media in the White House, Trump said: “We want Zelenskyy to make a deal. He can make a deal.””
SupportedTrump said, “He could have made a deal two years ago when we had our little chat in the Oval Office.”Euronews: ““He could have made a deal two years ago when we had our little chat in the Oval Office,” he continued, seemingly referencing the pair's heated exchange during a meeting in early 2025.”
Partly supportedTrump said Zelenskyy “is going to have to want to make a deal, because I don't think his people are going to stand for it any longer.”Euronews: ““He's going to have to want to make a deal, because I don't think his people are going to stand for it any longer.””
Partly supportedTrump repeatedly blamed Zelenskyy for the ongoing war.Euronews: “On Tuesday, Trump - who is gearing up for key midterm elections to determine the make-up of Congress for his final two years in office - seemed to pin the blame for the ongoing war on Zelenskyy, repeatedly saying he had had the opportunity to make a deal and that the US had got nothing in return for its help”
SupportedTrump said the US had received “nothing back” except grief, death and tremendous monetary loss, and said, “Other than high diesel.”Euronews: “the US had got nothing in return for its help “except grief, death,” and “tremendous monetary loss.” “We have given tremendous amounts to Ukraine; we've got nothing back. Other than high diesel,” Trump added.”
SupportedZelenskyy met in Oslo with a US delegation led by Steve Witkoff, alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.Euronews: “Following the talks in Oslo, which also involved Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre”
SupportedWitkoff was scheduled to travel to Russia to meet Putin on Wednesday.Euronews: “special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is scheduled to travel to Russia for a meeting with Putin on Wednesday.”
SupportedZelenskyy thanked the US for intelligence sharing and said, “I'm speaking about early warning, what is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming.”Euronews: “Zelenskyy also addressed reported restrictions on US intelligence sharing during a press conference with the Nordic leaders, saying he was “thankful” that “intelligence works now.” “I'm speaking about early warning, what is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” he said.”
SupportedZelenskyy said the talks were “constructive because all of us want peace – Ukraine, Europe, the United States. And we will see what happens tomorrow.”Euronews: “In a post on social media later in the evening, Zelenskyy added: “It was constructive because all of us want peace – Ukraine, Europe, the United States. And we will see what happens tomorrow.””