US president Donald Trump and Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko The mayor of the Ukrainian capital struggled to say if he trusts Donald Trump in an awkward exchange on Sky News this morning. The fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion is approaching on Tuesday, but the end of the war still seems very far away. The third round of trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia failed to make any significant headway last week, despite Trump’s desperate efforts to get a peace deal over the line. The Trump administration has even suggested Ukraine might have to give up more of its sovereign territory in a compromise, even though allies say that would be rewarding Russia for its aggression. But Putin continues to hold onto his maximalist goals for Ukraine while Trump baselessly blames Kyiv for the hold-up in negotiations. Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips asked Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko: “Do you trust President Trump?” After a painfully long pause of around 12 seconds, Klitschko scoffed and said: “I try to trust him, but some times I do not understand the messages clearly from President Trump regarding peace in Ukraine. “Peace in Ukraine is very important, very important for the whole war, but peace in Ukraine cannot be a capitulation agreement between Ukraine and Russia.” Phillip replied: “In this fight, President Trump isn’t really in your corner. At best, he thinks of himself as referee.” Klitschko laughed and said: “If Trump has to be referee, he has to be very objective and to be neutral. “But it will be much better to have such an influential man in our corner.” He continued: “It’s also a task for President Zelenskyy to have a good relationship and understanding with President Trump of the United States.” Asked if he can see an end to this war, the mayor paused again. “This war can stop easily. One person began this war – I’m talking about the president of Russia, Putin, who can stop [the war] easily,” he replied. “Putin understands power. Russians never ever pay attention to a weak position. And that’s why we Ukrainians have to be strong, and we are stronger when we are together with our partners.” "I try to trust him." Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko tells @TrevorPTweets it's critical to have the U.S. on their side for peace, but sometimes finds it hard to understand Donald Trump's messaging. #TrevorPhillips https://t.co/zQtteVM4iU Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/FIZ3YGaad4 — Sky News (@SkyNews) February 22, 2026 Related... Four Years After Putin's Invasion, Can Trump Secure Peace In Ukraine? Four Years In, Trump Remains On Putin’s Side In His Stagnated Invasion Of Ukraine Trump Claims Ukraine Peace Talks Are Going To Be 'Very Easy' – And Throws Out Warning For Kyiv