Washington, Nov. 9 -- US President Donald Trump has expressed strong optimism that a resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is near, pointing to the deep-seated animosity between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as the primary stumbling block hindering peace efforts.

During a comprehensive broadcast interview with CBS News, the American leader was questioned about what factors he considered to be the most formidable barrier to ending the conflict.

"It was the hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin. If I had been president, that war would've never started. Zero chance. But it did start. So I inherited that war. I believe we're very close to making a deal," Trump said.

The US President mainta...