The idea that Russia is trying to influence his attempts to broker an agreement to end the war in Ukraine has been rejected by US President Donald Trump.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday that he is simply working to assist resolve the dispute between Russia and Ukraine and that no one is playing him.
Trump remarked, “I have to admit that my entire life has been one big negotiation, and I know when people are playing us and when they’re not.”
“I need to see a desire to put an end to it. And I believe I see that zeal. I believe I see both sides of it.
“No, I’m not being played. I’m attempting to assist. We have a very high possibility of completing the peace deal, in my opinion, and it is currently coming to a head.
This comes only hours after US Vice President JD Vance said Friday that the Trump administration is still hopeful it would be able to negotiate an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Relatedly, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated earlier today that Trump would withdraw from attempts to mediate a peace accord between Russia and Ukraine in a matter of days unless there are unambiguous signs that a deal is possible.
Ukraine, meantime, has already consented to a complete temporary truce and has charged that Russia is purposefully delaying a settlement to strengthen its negotiation position.
