US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that “Russia should strike a deal” to bring its war against Ukraine to an end, following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in France.
Trump noted that he “had a meeting” with Zelensky during the gathering in the spa town of Evian-les-Bains and that further discussions were scheduled for later in the day, as the G7 nations work to increase pressure on Moscow to halt more than four years of conflict.
He underscored the heavy losses suffered on both sides, calling the casualty numbers “ridiculous.”
“Admit it, the whole situation is ridiculous,” Trump said. “So yes, I’m going to do whatever I can.”
European diplomats are aiming to persuade Trump that earlier US views on potential deal terms leaned too far in Russia’s favor, particularly now that Ukraine’s drone operations inside Russia have strengthened its position.
“The tide is turning for Ukraine. The situation in 2026 is very different from 2025. Ukraine is bravely holding the frontline,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “Russia’s fatigue is becoming obvious. This is the moment to reinforce our support.”
Zelensky is seeking renewed momentum and a larger European role. He said on June 15 that he had proposed meeting Putin at the G7 summit. Putin has repeatedly rejected direct talks with Zelensky unless they take place in Moscow.
