Trump Says Ukraine Will Have ‘Different Shape’ After War, Claims Peace Deal Is Near

US President Donald Trump said he expected to reach a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine but suggested the country would emerge from the war with altered borders. “I think we’re gonna have it done, and I think it’s gonna happen and they’re gonna end up with a little bit different shape Ukraine,” Trump told CBS News’ Ross Douthat in a 60 Minutes interview.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Douthat challenged Trump’s repeated promises to broker peace, suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin remained the main obstacle to an agreement. Trump responded by defending his record of pressuring Moscow, saying no one had been tougher on Russia than he had. “Look at our trade. Look what I’ve done to them on trade with the sanctions and everything else,” Trump said. When Douthat pointed to Trump’s recent decision to ease diesel-related restrictions on Russia, arguing that Washington had taken steps to relieve pressure on Moscow, Trump rejected the characterization. “I didn’t lift diesel sanctions. I made it possible for Russia to give not us, but to the world – thousands and thousands of barrels of oil, of diesel, which it needed. Didn’t – do any big favor,” he said. Trump was referring to a deal that allows certain Russian suppliers to continue diesel exports despite Moscow’s broader export restrictions. Russia extended its commercial diesel export ban through January 2027 while introducing exemptions for designated suppliers under an arrangement with Trump. Other Topics of Interest US Offers $20M Reward for Intel on Iran’s Nuclear Program The US has offered a $20 million reward and relocation for intelligence on Iran’s nuclear sites, equipment, and scientists amid near-weapons-grade enrichment. Asked whether he expected the outcome to be a free and independent Ukraine, Trump did not directly address the question, instead repeating his prediction that the country would have a “little bit different shape.” Abu Dhabi talks to focus on security guarantees His remarks came ahead of a new round of US-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for Nov. 10–11 in Abu Dhabi. The trilateral talks are expected to focus on postwar security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and steps toward ending the war. Earlier, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and an adviser involved in the negotiations, said Washington had held “productive and substantive” discussions with Ukraine, NATO and European partners on security guarantees for Kyiv and the broader European security architecture. Kushner also said the US was working with Ukraine and Russia on “serious proposals” aimed at making the trilateral negotiations “as substantive and productive as possible.” He recently outlined a five-point European security framework ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks. Russia’s delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, a hardliner who previously issued demands that Ukraine accept Moscow’s terms to end the war. Following negotiations with Ukrainian officials in Turkey in June 2025, Medinsky said Kyiv would have to abandon its integration with the West and accept Russia’s conditions. He also claimed Moscow was prepared to continue fighting “for as long as necessary.” Medinsky’s appointment to lead the Russian delegation again raised doubts about the prospects for a breakthrough in the negotiations. Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, according to Ukrainian officials. The team will also include Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov, parliamentary faction leader Davyd Arakhamia, First Deputy Presidential Office head Serhii Kyslytsia and military intelligence deputy chief Vadym Skibitsky. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.