Trump Demands Zelensky ‘Make a Deal’ as Republican Senator Says Putin Is Playing Him ‘Like a Fiddle’

US President Donald Trump renewed pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate a deal with Russia, drawing sharp criticism from Republican Senator Thom Tillis following a bipartisan call with the Ukrainian leader. Tillis warned that Putin was manipulating Trump and questioned delays in approving European Patriot missile transfers to Ukraine. Meanwhile, US officials reported progress in talks with Kyiv in Oslo ahead of Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg.