Trump suggests Putin is deliberately delaying Ukraine peace deal

US President Donald Trump has said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin may be deliberately delaying a peace deal on Ukraine.

He said this in an interview with Newsmax.

«I don't know. But I think that Russia wants to put an end to it, although they may be dragging their feet,» the US president said.

Donald Trump added that he himself used such tactics in business, postponing the signing of agreements to maintain control over the situation.

«I've done it over the years, you know; I don't want to sign a contract, I want to kind of «stay in the game», but maybe I don't want to do it, not at all... I'm not sure. But no, I think Russia would like to see it end, and I think Zelenskyy would like to see it end at this point,» Donald Trump said.

He also reiterated that both Russia and Ukraine are losing an average of 2,500 soldiers every week.

«They are not Americans, but it doesn't matter to me... I see horrific photos from the battlefields. Hands, feet, heads everywhere... And I just want it to stop,» Donald Trump said.

As a reminder, following the talks in Saudi Arabia on 23-25 March, the US, Russia and Ukraine agreed to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, avoid the use of force and not use commercial vessels for military purposes.

However, Russia has since put forward additional demands, including the easing of sanctions against its agricultural sector.

US President Donald Trump said that the US side would consider these conditions to agree to a ceasefire in the Black Sea.

Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe said that the Ukrainian military would not stop fighting, even if they were left without weapons, until they had acceptable conditions for a lasting peace.