Trump said Zelensky has no trump cards in the negotiating position.

US President Donald Trump has stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has no trump cards in his negotiating position on a peaceful settlement. He made the corresponding statement on Friday, May 16, in an interview with Fox News channel.

"I've always said that he (Zelensky. — Ed.) there are no cards in his hands," Trump stressed.

He also mentioned that his negotiations with Zelensky turned out to be quite difficult, since the American leader did not like the statements of his Ukrainian counterpart.

In addition, Trump noted the excellent level of armament of the Russian military and the high number of the army.

The American leader denied the statement about Russia's incomplete involvement in negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

Step at the meeting: the results of the first negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years

The first round of contacts took place in Istanbul — what's next

On May 16, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the talks agreed to present their vision of a cease-fire and to exchange prisoners of war in the 1,000-by-1,000 format.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), in turn, called the results of the first talks between the Russian and Ukrainian sides in Istanbul in three years good.