Trump: Putin Is Tired Of War, I Hope He Will Be Kind

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said he hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin would "act well" and move forward to end the war in Ukraine.

"To be honest, I don't think this will be a problem. I think Putin is bored. I think they are all bored, but we never know," Trump said in an interview with Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program.

Trump spoke a day after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to discuss his peace efforts.

This meeting follows Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska last Friday.

"We will find out the latest news about President Putin in the next few weeks. There is a possibility he doesn't want to reach an agreement," Trump said, saying Putin would face a "difficult situation" if that didn't happen.

After Monday's talks, Trump contacted Putin to help arrange a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy which will continue with a trilateral meeting which will also be attended by himself.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump admitted that he thought the relationship between Putin and Zelenskyy might be "a little better". Otherwise, Trump will not continue their one-on-one meeting.

The US president also mentioned his warm relationship with Putin, although he acknowledged the potential failure of the deal.

"I hope President Putin will be kind, and if not, the situation will be difficult and I hope President Zelenskyy will do what he has to do. He also has to show flexibility," Trump said.

Regarding security guarantees for Ukraine sought by Kyiv and its allies as part of any peace settlement, Trump said that although Europe is willing to deploy troops in some form, the United States will not, even if it can provide other assistance.

"There will be certain forms of security. You can't NATO," he said. "They are willing to deploy troops. We are willing to help them in various ways, especially, maybe, if we can talk about it by air," he continued.

When asked what guarantee Trump could provide to defend Ukraine's borders, Trump said: "You get my guarantee. You know, I am president."