Mr. Trump sees Ukraine as an obstacle in restoring relations with Russia.

According to RIA Novosti on August 29, Le Point magazine (France) quoted a source saying that US President Donald Trump considers Ukraine an obstacle to restoring relations with Russia and peacefully resolving the Ukraine conflict.

"Advantages President Trump's first priority is to restore relations with Russia. Ukraine, according to him, is just an obstacle" - Le Point said.

Earlier on August 28, the Atlantic magazine, citing unnamed officials, reported that the US President was unhappy with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and Europe for their unrealistic demands to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

On the same day, White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt noted that Washington acknowledged that Moscow and Kiev were not ready to end the conflict at this stage. Ms. Leavitt added that President Trump planned to make "additional statements" on the situation in Ukraine in the coming days.

Russian State Duma deputy from Crimea Yuri Nesterenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti that Ukraine under the leadership of Mr. Zelensky is sabotaging negotiations on resolving the Ukrainian conflict and peace initiatives of US President Donald Trump.

“Mr. Zelensky continues to conduct the negotiation follow-up based on big headlines that do not correspond to the real situation, as well as the support of European leaders, thus actually undermining both the negotiation process and President Trump's peace initiatives,” said MP Nesterenko.

According to him, the Kiev authorities and the leaders of a number of European countries are acting together to disrupt the peace negotiations, as well as to lay the groundwork for the continuation and prolongation of the military conflict.