President Donald Trump says he wants to see Russia and Ukraine make a deal to end the war so the United States can get back to normal business with both countries. "We'll do business with Ukraine and with Russia after this war ends, I would think," he said in a short clip. His pitch is simple: peace first, then trade and economic ties with both sides. The war began with Russia's invasion in February 2022 and is still unresolved as of late 2026, which is why the remark has people asking how close any deal really is.

Trump has made this kind of argument before. In April 2025, he said that if Russia and Ukraine made a deal, both would "do big business" with the United States. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, has also said American companies could return to do business in Russia once a peace deal is reached. More recently, media reports citing the New York Times said the White House has considered some business deals with Russia before the war ends, which would go against his earlier line that trade must wait for peace. Critics worry that economic incentives could end up favoring Moscow, while supporters say they could give both sides a reason to stop fighting.