In brief: US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, saying both sides appeared increasingly willing to end the war. However, during a surprise White House press conference, he dismissed a reporter’s question about Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly ignoring his ceasefire demands. Trump also boasted of record US weapons production as Ukraine reported unprecedented Russian military losses in October.
US President Donald Trump said Monday, Nov. 9, that peace negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi were progressing well, but avoided answering a reporter who challenged him over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated refusal to meet his ceasefire demands.
Speaking during an unscheduled White House press conference, Trump expressed optimism about the US-mediated negotiations scheduled to begin Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates.
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“We’re having a very good conversation about that in Abu Dhabi,” Trump said.
He suggested that both Ukraine and Russia were increasingly willing to end the fighting.
“We’re also seeing a very strong inclination to end Russia and Ukraine. We’re involved in that because I want to see people stop getting killed.”
Asked separately whether he expected a breakthrough at the talks, Trump said both sides were exhausted by the war.
“I just think that Ukraine and Russia are tired of fighting. They’re tired of seeing dead young soldiers,” he said.
Trump confronted over Putin ignoring ceasefire demands
Later in the briefing, a reporter challenged Trump over his failure to secure a ceasefire despite repeatedly setting deadlines for Putin.
“You have given Vladimir Putin multiple deadlines over the last 22 months to enter into a ceasefire, but also to meet directly with Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the reporter began, adding that Putin had repeatedly ignored those demands.
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“Well, you know, you say he’s ignored. Has he been fighting us in the war?”
He then asked which outlet the reporter represented.
After learning she worked for MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, Trump attacked the network rather than addressing the substance of the question.
“You’re a fake network,” he said, before moving to another reporter.
Trump did not explain whether Washington would take additional measures against Moscow if Putin continued to reject a ceasefire or direct negotiations with Zelensky.
The exchange came as US officials sought to persuade the two countries to narrow their differences over territory and postwar security guarantees.
Ukraine reports record Russian military losses in October
Trump also spoke about the mounting human cost of Russia’s invasion, repeating an unverified estimate that 25,000 people were being killed monthly across both sides.
However, Ukrainian military figures released earlier this month reported substantially higher Russian personnel losses alone.
According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces inflicted a record 54,400 Russian personnel losses in October, the highest monthly figure Kyiv has reported since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The ministry said Russian losses reached a daily record of 2,250 on Oct. 21, while Ukrainian forces liberated 96.2 square kilometers of territory during the month.
Earlier Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine’s battlefield successes were strengthening its position ahead of negotiations.
He emphasized that continued military pressure on Russia was necessary to secure a lasting peace.
Zelensky confirms Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi
In his Monday evening address, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine’s negotiating delegation had arrived in the UAE.
“Our negotiating team is already in the United Arab Emirates. The first meeting is tomorrow,” he said.
European representatives are also expected to participate in separate meetings alongside the trilateral negotiations.
Ukraine intends to propose de-escalation measures and discuss arrangements for a potential meeting between the Ukrainian, Russian and American presidents.
Kyiv has insisted that any agreement must include credible security guarantees and prevent Russia from launching another invasion.
Trump says US will prioritize its own weapons needs
During the same press conference, Trump boasted that American defense manufacturers were expanding weapons production at an unprecedented pace.
“We’re building new Patriots. We’re building new Tomahawks, new THAAD systems, and we have more under construction now than at any time ever,” he said.
However, Trump emphasized that American military requirements would take precedence over foreign deliveries.
“Obviously, we’re taking it for ourselves first.”
Trump also repeated his criticism of former President Joe Biden’s military assistance to Ukraine, claiming that Washington had provided $350 billion in free equipment.
That figure substantially exceeds official US military aid totals.
Trump said European partners were now paying for American military equipment supplied to Ukraine.
His remarks come as Kyiv continues pressing Washington and its European allies to accelerate deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles and other air defense equipment needed to protect Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
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