Trump Claims Putin "Should Have Won Ukraine War In 7 Days" While Pursuing Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump has expressed that the deep "hatred" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains a significant barrier to peace negotiations, while claiming he nearly secured a peace agreement two months ago.

"I thought we had a deal. The hatred of the two leaders (Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky) is a lot, it is an obstacle. There's no question about it. But I thought we had a deal two months ago. Who would think I created peace in the Middle East and can't get the two guys to settle? But I think we'll get them," Trump stated during a Ballroom Dinner event on Wednesday.

The US President criticized Putin's military performance, asserting that the Russian leader should have concluded the Ukraine war "in one week" instead of allowing it to continue into its fourth year.

Trump also suggested that the prolonged conflict has damaged Putin's reputation, remarking that "it doesn't make him look good."

"And all we want from President Putin is stop this. Stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians, because he's killing a lot of Russians. Again, it doesn't make him look good. It's a war that he should have won in one week, and he's now going into his fourth year," Trump declared.

Additionally, Trump claimed to have received assurances from India regarding Russian oil purchases. "But if India doesn't buy oil, it makes it much easier. And they're not going to buy. They assured me they will, within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia. And they will go back to Russia after the war is over," he stated.

Last week, Trump indicated that his administration and NATO allies were "stepping up the pressure" to end the Ukraine conflict, following unsuccessful ceasefire discussions with Putin.

"Yeah, we are stepping up the pressure," Trump confirmed in the Oval Office during a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb when questioned by an AFP reporter about increasing efforts for a deal. "We're stepping it up together. We're all stepping it up. NATO has been great," he added.

After meeting with President Zelensky last month, the US President expressed confidence that Ukraine could reclaim all its territory from Russia. "I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form," Trump had posted on his Truth Social platform.