Trump warns Zelenskyy of 'very bad thing' if Ukraine fails to reach peace deal with Russia

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday stepped up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, warning that Kyiv could face serious consequences if it fails to pursue a settlement. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump argued that Russia's military strength and continued battlefield advances had put Ukraine in a difficult position, making a negotiated agreement increasingly necessary. "Ukraine has to want to settle this war. Zelenskyy has to want to settle this war," Trump said. "And if he doesn't, I think it's going to be a very bad thing." Trump cites Russia's military advantage The US president claimed Moscow was willing to bring the conflict to an end but maintained that Russian forces continued to gain territory despite years of fighting. "Russia would like to get it done," Trump said, adding, "Russia is a big machine. They just keep grinding forward, and that's what they've done. They've taken a very large piece of land." Questioning Ukraine's ability to resist further Russian advances, Trump pointed to Moscow's manpower and capacity to sustain its military campaign. "Week by week, it just -- they march forward. They just keep marching forward. They have an unlimited supply of people, this too," he said. Trump also revisited his contentious February 2025 Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy, suggesting the Ukrainian leader had missed an opportunity to secure more favourable terms. "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," Trump told reporters. Zelenskyy meets US envoy, European leaders in Oslo Trump's remarks came as Zelenskyy held discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders in Oslo, Norway, on possible ways to end the conflict. Following the meeting, the Ukrainian president said Kyiv and its European partners had developed proposals that they wanted Washington to convey to Moscow. "We are united with our European partners in this effort, and we want the Americans to take these ideas to the Russians," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "One of the important ideas is to move to a potential trilateral meeting of the leaders to address the issues that only the leaders can do." Zelenskyy also said Witkoff would travel to Russia on Wednesday for further discussions. "Let's see what Putin has to say," he added. Asked whether Putin should meet Zelenskyy directly, Trump acknowledged the hostility between the two leaders but indicated that he was open to different diplomatic arrangements. "It's hard for them to be in the same room," Trump said. "I don't care how it's done." Trump questions billions spent on Ukraine The US president also expressed frustration over Washington's financial assistance to Kyiv, arguing that American taxpayers had received little in return despite years of support. "Look, we have given tremendous amounts to Ukraine. We've got nothing back other than high diesel," Trump stated. "We have given probably more money to Ukraine than almost anybody over the years, hundreds of billions of dollars. We got nothing back. And the American taxpayers are tired of it." His latest criticism comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and Kyiv over reported restrictions affecting Ukraine's access to Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite network. Ukrainian officials reported disruptions last week, raising concerns over communications and intelligence capabilities used in the war against Russia. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attributed responsibility for usage restrictions to the US government, while Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that Washington had ordered the curbs. Trump open to talks with Putin and Xi Meanwhile, Trump has signalled his willingness to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including through a potential trilateral meeting focused on nuclear disarmament. "Anything I can do to end the war, whether somebody's there or not, whatever I could do to end the war," Trump said. The US president has sought closer engagement with Moscow while pushing for a negotiated settlement in Ukraine. His administration has also defended its decision to waive certain economic restrictions targeting Russia, citing broader national security considerations and the potential impact of sanctions on other countries.