Trump says “82% of Ukrainians want settlement” as he pressures Kyiv on talks

US President Donald Trump has asserted that 82% of Ukrainians are “demanding a settlement” to bring an end to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Trump made the remarks during a roundtable with business leaders at the White House, Caliber.Az reports.

I will say 82% - there was a poll which came out - 82% of the people are demanding a settlement be made. Ukrainian people, they want to see a settlement be made. I understand that they're losing thousands and thousands of people a week. They want to see it ended,” he said.

The US president did not clarify which polling organisation conducted the survey, nor did he offer additional details about its methodology.

Trump added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “has to be realistic” regarding potential negotiations with Russia. He also questioned when Ukraine would next hold national elections.

“And I do say, you know, at what point when do they have an election in Ukraine? That's not casting dispersions on anybody, but they do have a massive corruption situation going on there.

And they do say, you know, when are the people are asking this question, when do they have an election? Are they going to have an election or are they going to just keep it going like this? So, I think it's time to get that war settled. And I think it's a war that can be settled, but it takes two to two to tangle.”

Asked to comment on Trump’s recent interview with Politico, in which he said “it’s time” for presidential elections in Ukraine, Zelenskyy responded: “I am ready for ever.”

According to the Financial Times, Trump hopes a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia can be reached “by Christmas.”

By Vafa Guliyeva