Trump stated that Russia holds advantages in negotiations due to its acquisition of significant territories.

US President Donald Trump stated that, in his view, Russia holds advantages in any peace negotiations regarding the cessation of the war in Ukraine, as Russia has "seized a lot of territory."

"I think the Russians want to end this war, I really do. I believe they have the cards because they have taken a lot of territory," Trump said aboard Air Force One, responding to a question from BBC.

When asked by a BBC journalist if Trump trusts Russia, which claims to want peace, the American president replied: "I do trust."

During a speech in Florida, the US President referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "dictator" for the second time – just hours after using the same term in a post on Truth Social.

A White House official stated that Trump's post was a direct response to Zelensky's remarks suggesting that the US President lives in a "disinformation space."

Background. Meanwhile, The Economist reported that Trump's team wants to get rid of Zelensky.

"Trump wants to remove Zelensky, whom he has always disliked and considers inconvenient," the publication quotes a former diplomat. "It's not about the elections; it's about taking Zelensky out."