EditIs Trump encouraging Zelenskyy to hit Russia even harder to achieve peace?
Ukrainian officials increasingly believe they have succeeded in persuading Trump that Kyiv currently holds the initiative in the war
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered one of his strongest endorsements yet of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership during Russia’s war against Ukraine, while privately encouraging Kyiv to increase pressure on Moscow and pursue a strategy aimed at forcing the Kremlin into meaningful peace negotiations.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump described the Ukrainian president as “brave” and said he was performing well despite the enormous challenges facing his country.
“Whatever you say, he’s doing a pretty good job. At the very least, he’s holding on. A lot of people are dying on both sides, but I think he’s doing well,” Trump said when asked whether Zelenskyy was currently winning the war.
The U.S. president also praised Ukraine’s military capabilities, saying Zelenskyy had “great equipment”, “great people” and “fighters”.
Q: Mr. President, you like winners. You think Zelenskyy is winning right now?
Trump: Well, no matter how you look at it, he's doing pretty well. He's holding his own. Look, you have to say he's courageous. He's got great equipment, but he's got great men. He's got fighters.
🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/8K1Tn1kIEo
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) June 24, 2026
The remarks come amid signs of a notable shift in Washington’s assessment of the conflict. According to Ukrainian and U.S. officials cited by the Kyiv Independent, Trump privately told Zelenskyy during their recent meeting that he should act “more boldly” towards Russia.
“Trump says he doesn’t really believe Vladimir Putin will do anything without pressure,” a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the discussions told the publication.
A U.S. official quoted by the Kyiv Independent said Trump continues to subscribe to the principle of “peace through strength”, suggesting that military and economic pressure remain central to his approach towards ending the war.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit. According to the Financial Times, Trump was “extremely impressed and encouraged” by Ukraine’s recent strikes against Russian targets and discussed the issue at length with Zelenskyy.
The diplomatic exchanges coincide with growing Ukrainian efforts to secure a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has publicly indicated that he would support such talks, although the Kremlin has continued to insist that any meeting should take place in Moscow – a condition Kyiv rejects.
According to Ukrainian officials, Zelenskyy proposed during his meeting with Trump that the U.S. president host a summit in the United States involving both Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Sources familiar with the discussions said Trump reacted positively to the idea, although no such meeting is expected in the near future.
The diplomatic manoeuvring comes as Ukraine intensifies military pressure on Russia. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have carried out large-scale drone and missile attacks on targets deep inside Russian territory, including infrastructure linked to Moscow’s war effort.
Kyiv argues that the strikes are designed to force the Kremlin to reconsider its position and engage seriously in negotiations. Ukrainian officials increasingly believe that recent battlefield developments have convinced the White House that Kyiv’s position is stronger than it appeared earlier this year.
Politico reported last week that Trump had expressed willingness during the G7 summit to continue supporting Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. Sources quoted by Bloomberg similarly suggested that Trump and members of his administration no longer believe Moscow can achieve outright victory on the battlefield and increasingly view Ukraine as gaining momentum.
Following the summit, Zelenskyy said commitments made by Ukraine’s partners would allow Kyiv to rapidly create conditions under which Russia would be forced to choose peace.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted ongoing operations aimed at isolating occupied Crimea from Russian supply lines, describing the campaign as carefully planned and intended to increase pressure on Moscow.
Putin, however, has portrayed Ukraine’s growing ability to strike Russian energy facilities as evidence of Kyiv’s weakness, arguing that setbacks on the battlefield are driving Ukrainian forces to target civilian infrastructure.
At the same time, he has instructed Russian authorities to minimise the impact of Ukrainian attacks on critical infrastructure and energy assets.
Some Western observers see Moscow’s recent rhetoric differently.
In an analysis published by The Independent, the British newspaper argued that Russia is increasingly struggling to sustain its war effort and that Putin’s renewed calls for negotiations reflect growing concern within the Kremlin. The newspaper pointed to repeated Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, disruptions to military supply routes, temporary airport closures and declining public enthusiasm for the war as evidence that Russia faces mounting pressure.
According to the analysis, Ukraine has seized the initiative in several areas of the conflict, including establishing dominance in the Black Sea and threatening key components of Russia’s energy infrastructure. The publication argued that this presents Kyiv and its allies with an opportunity to increase pressure on Moscow while Putin’s position appears comparatively weaker.
The evolving assessment appears to be gaining traction in Washington. At the G7 summit, Trump joined other leaders in endorsing a joint statement reaffirming support for Ukraine and expressing readiness to consider granting licences for domestic arms production.
“Russia should make a deal,” Trump said.
Beyond the immediate military and diplomatic calculations, Ukrainian officials increasingly believe they have succeeded in persuading Trump that Kyiv currently holds the initiative in the war.
Recent battlefield developments, combined with Ukraine’s ability to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia, have reinforced the perception that Moscow is under growing pressure.
For Trump stronger support for Ukraine could also carry domestic political benefits ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, allowing him to present himself as a leader capable of delivering results in a conflict that has defied successive Western attempts to bring it to an end.
Sources: Kyiv Independent, Politico, Reuters, The Independent
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) shaking hands with US President Donald Trump (R) during their meeting on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, 22 January 2026. The 2026 summit, running from 19 to 23 January and held under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ brings together global political leaders, corporate executives, and scientists to address international challenges. EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT
Updated: June 25, 2026 - 16:57
