Donald Trump believes Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal.

13:28, Wed, Jul 15, 2026 Updated: 14:31, Wed, Jul 15, 2026

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has discussed the war in Ukraine and the possibility for peace (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump has shared what "he always tells" Vladimir Putin as he's asked whether he believes the war in Ukraine will end soon. The US President was in conversation with Fox News when he questioned if he thinks the war between Ukraine and Russie will end during his administration.

Mr Trump said: "I think so. I thought it would have ended before. I thought it would be my easiest as I get along with both the leaders." On being questioned about his talks with the Russian leader on the war, he shared the seven-word message he has been tellin Mr Putin.

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He said: "I tell him the same thing all the time. I don’t want to go into great detail. But I said ‘Vladimir, it’s time for you to stop. It’s time for this war to end’.”

Howeverm, Trump’s claim appears to differ from the stance recently expressed by Russian officials. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior figures in Moscow have cast doubt on Western-led peace initiatives and continued to emphasise Russia’s territorial objectives.

Ukrainian drones hit 20 Russian vessels, including 17 oil tankers, in the Black Sea overnight, Kyiv's military has said.Robert Brovdi, the ​commander ⁠of Ukraine's drone ‌forces, said on Telegram that the targets struck included ​two ​gas tankers and ⁠a tugboat.

Mr Brovdi added that more than 100 Russian vessels have been struck in the Sea of Azov, a key maritime route for Russia, this month.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine’s deepwater Black Sea ports in the greater Odesa region, a critical hub for the country’s grain exports and other cargo shipments.

These ports are a key pillar of Ukraine’s wartime economy, helping sustain trade revenues and maintain access to international markets despite the ongoing conflict.

By targeting supply routes, transport networks and military infrastructure, Kyiv aims to make it more difficult for Russian forces to receive reinforcements and supplies, while weakening Moscow’s hold on strategically important territories.