President Donald Trump said Friday that lingering tension and “tremendous bad blood” between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are delaying progress toward a peace deal in Ukraine, despite what he described as “major momentum” in his administration’s Middle East peace efforts, as reported by Fox News.

“They have tremendous bad blood. It really is what is holding up, I think, a settlement,” Trump said during remarks at the White House, where he hosted Zelenskyy for bilateral talks. “I think we are going to get it done, and we have to make it long-lasting — as I said in the Middle East, everlasting.”

Trump pointed to the recently brokered Middle East ceasefire involving 59 countries, calling it a model for how his administration intends to approach Ukraine.

“The Middle East is a much more complicated situation. You know, we had 59 countries involved, and every one of them agreed. Most people didn’t think that was doable. This is going to be something I really believe that’s going to get done,” Trump said.

“I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. I think he wants to get it done.”

Zelenskyy, seated beside Trump, said he believed the U.S. president had a “big chance” to help end the conflict.

“President Trump has really showed for the world that he can manage a ceasefire in the Middle East,” Zelenskyy said. “And that’s why I hope that he will do this. And we will also have such big success. For Ukraine, it’s a big chance, and I hope that President Trump can manage it.”

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During the meeting, Trump reiterated his administration’s support for continued defensive assistance to Ukraine. “We need Tomahawks, and we need a lot of other things that we’ve been sending over the last four years to Ukraine,” Trump said.

The White House meeting followed a phone call between Trump and Putin on Thursday. After the call, Trump said “great progress” was made but offered no specific details. He confirmed that he and Putin agreed to meet again soon, with Hungary being discussed as a potential location.

Trump said he discussed U.S.-Russia trade relations during the call but did not confirm whether U.S. military aid to Ukraine was addressed. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov later told reporters that Putin opposed the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

“Vladimir Putin reiterated his thesis that Tomahawks won’t change the situation on the battlefield, but they will cause significant damage to relations between our countries, not to mention the prospects for a peaceful settlement,” Ushakov said, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has pushed for greater air defense support amid Russia’s continued aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities, infrastructure, and hospitals.

Writing on X, Zelenskyy said, “Nothing has changed for Russia — it is still terrorizing life in Ukraine. Therefore, every air defense system for Ukraine matters — it saves lives. Every decision that can strengthen us brings the end of the war closer.”

Nothing has changed for Russia – it is still terrorizing life in Ukraine. A swarm of drones struck Kryvyi Rih, hitting civilian infrastructure. There were dozens more attack drones in our skies. Missiles were also spotted. In fact, not a single night in recent weeks has passed…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025

Friday’s meeting marked Zelenskyy’s third visit to the White House this year. His previous visit in February included Vice President J.D. Vance and featured what aides described as “tense but productive” discussions over long-term defense commitments and reconstruction aid.

Trump: Putin/Zelensky Don’t Like Each Other

“There’s a lot of bad blood with the two presidents…. These two leaders do not like each other and we want to make it comfortable for everybody.” pic.twitter.com/2Z3qze7C5m

— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) October 17, 2025

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