Trump presses Zelenskyy to negotiate with Russia, seeks release of American captive

President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, intensifying pressure on Kyiv amid Moscow's ongoing war, and said he asked Vladimir Putin to release American captive Stephen Hubbard. Trump stated Zelenskyy could have negotiated two years ago and claimed Ukrainians would not tolerate continued fighting. Relations have deteriorated since Trump lifted sanctions for a diesel deal with Putin and criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, though Zelenskyy met envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo to ease tensions. Ukraine remains alarmed by Trump's shift toward blaming Kyiv for the conflict that began with Russia's February 2022 invasion. Trump hinted a Hubbard release deal may be near, saying he had discussed the captive at length with Putin.