President Donald Trump wants you to know that peace in Ukraine is right around the corner, and that he is the reason it is happening. Speaking to CBS News interviewer Ross Douthat on 60 Minutes, which aired Sunday, November 8, Trump said the only thing standing between Russia and Ukraine and a deal is the personal animosity between their leaders.
"It was the hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin," Trump said. "I believe we're very close to making a deal."
Asked which leader he trusted more, Trump played it coy: "I'd rather not say, but I get along with both." He then predicted the war would end soon and declared, "And the only reason it's gonna end is because of me." Trump also claimed the invasion would never have happened had he been president.
Douthat pushed back, noting that Russia invaded Ukraine when questioning Zelenskyy's hostility. Trump acknowledged the point but accused Ukraine of showing "great disrespect" to Russia. He also dismissed the suggestion that Putin was stringing him along, while insisting he had imposed tough sanctions on Moscow.
US-Led Peace Talks Resume In Abu Dhabi
The remarks came ahead of another round of diplomacy. Reuters reported on Sunday that Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations would meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, with European representatives also participating. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed France's involvement, while Washington's discussions focused on security guarantees and de-escalation.
Last week, Reuters separately noted that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Moscow to demonstrate genuine commitment to a ceasefire. Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine needed credible security guarantees before accepting any settlement. Trump separately suggested a peace agreement could leave Ukraine with altered borders, without explaining what territory might change.
Russian Diesel Agreement Complicates Peace Diplomacy
The president's push follows his October announcement of an energy ceasefire, which temporarily curbed Ukrainian refinery attacks. His subsequent Russian diesel arrangement drew bipartisan objections, with senators warning that lifting restrictions could weaken pressure on Putin. Trump defended the move during the interview as a way to supply diesel to global markets.
Ukrainian strikes had resumed against Russian refineries last Thursday, complicating energy diplomacy. Despite Trump's optimism, negotiators have not announced a peace agreement, and the central disputes over territory and Ukraine's security remain unresolved.
