President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that the United States is negotiating with Russia regarding Iran and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While praising Moscow’s calm and very good stance on the Iranian situation, Trump intensified his criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for a new Ukrainian negotiator to help end the war.
Trump’s Negotiations with Moscow and the Iran Stance
President Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he is engaged in multiple high-level negotiations with Russia, covering the war in Ukraine, the status of American hostages, and trade agreements involving Russian diesel. Addressing the tensions in the Middle East, Trump stated that Russia has notably refrained from intervening in the U.S.-led military and economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
He further claimed that the U.S. intelligence apparatus would have detected any substantial military or intelligence support provided to Tehran by its allies.
Meanwhile, a 25-year cooperation agreement between Iran and China, signed in 2021, and a strategic partnership signed in 2025, have been clarified by analysts as not constituting a mutual military defense obligation. Despite this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Tehran recently to condemn American and Israeli actions.
Criticism of President Zelenskyy
In the same briefing, Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian leadership, explicitly calling for a replacement to handle peace talks. He argued that President Zelenskyy does not know what he is talking about
and claimed that the Ukrainian leader is personally responsible for prolonging the conflict and hindering peace efforts. Trump further alleged that the Ukrainian people suffer due to these leadership decisions, noting that the country loses monthly between thousands of soldiers.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has expressed frustration with U.S. policy, describing recent decisions—including the easing of certain sanctions on Russia—as difficult to explain among friends.
Proposed Three-Way Summit in China
Diplomatic efforts remain fluid regarding a potential three-way meeting between Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
While the Kremlin has confirmed that discussions regarding a meeting are ongoing, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that no final agreement on the timing or the specific agenda has been reached. Pope Francis has reportedly conducted phone calls with both Zelenskyy and Putin to advocate for ceasefires and the facilitation of medical and food supplies for civilians trapped in conflict zones. Local authorities in the Luhansk region also reported recent casualties following an attack on a funeral vehicle, an incident highlighted by the Russian-appointed official Leonid Pasechnik.
In a separate diplomatic exchange, Trump addressed remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who had suggested that U.S. policies toward Iran were fueling domestic protests in France. Trump rejected these claims, labeling them fake news and warning that Paris could face significant demographic shifts if it did not secure its borders against mass migration.
