Trump Suggests Putin Wants to End War, as Zelensky Looks On

President Volodymyr Zelensky wore a grim expression as he stood next to former President Donald J. Trump. The two leaders were appearing on Fox News after their meeting on Friday in Trump Tower, their first in five years.

As Mr. Zelensky stood silently beside him, Mr. Trump presented the Russia-Ukraine war as one that both sides wanted to end, including its instigator, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

Mr. Trump did not fault the Russian leader for the invasion or for the illegal seizure of territory or for the thousands of Ukrainians he has bombed out of existence. Instead, the former president described the situation as if it were a dispute between two parties operating in good faith that could be resolved in a “fair deal,” but only if he returns to the White House.

“I’ve been saying that I believe if I win, we’re going to have a very fair, and I think, actually rather rapid deal,” Mr. Trump said. The war, he added, “should stop, and the president wants it to stop. I’m sure President Putin wants it to stop. And that’s a good combination. So we want to have a fair deal for everybody.”

Mr. Zelensky is in a difficult position with Mr. Trump. He knows Mr. Trump has a solid chance of winning in November, and that if he does, he will immediately face a decision over how much support to give to Ukraine and what posture the United States will take in the conflict. Earlier this week, Mr. Zelensky made mildly critical comments about Mr. Trump that almost scuttled their meeting.

As he stood alongside Mr. Trump on Fox News on Friday, Mr. Zelensky was diplomatic but struggled to make clear where he thought the blame resided.