WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of obstructing peace negotiations after the Ukrainian leader reiterated his country’s refusal to accept Russian control of Crimea.
Trump, speaking on Truth Social, claimed that a peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine was “very close,” but suggested that Zelensky’s position on Crimea would only “prolong” the conflict.
Trump’s comments came after U.S. Vice President JD Vance outlined the U.S. government’s vision for a potential settlement.
Vance indicated that a deal would involve “freezing the territorial lines” near their current positions, meaning both Ukraine and Russia would have to make territorial concessions.
While the specifics remain unclear, the administration has yet to disclose what geographic compromises might be required.
Zelensky has consistently rejected any discussion of ceding Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
“There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution,” Zelensky asserted, underscoring that Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including its claim to Crimea, is non-negotiable.
Trump, however, emphasized his desire to see the war end, expressing a willingness to engage in talks with both sides but underlining that he had no “favorites” in the conflict.
“I just want to see the war end,” Trump said. “I have no favorites. I don’t want to have any favorites. I want to have a deal done.”
The U.S. president’s comments are the latest in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between him and Zelensky, a relationship that has been fraught with tension.
In February, Trump and Zelensky clashed during a tense meeting at the White House, with Trump expressing frustration over the difficulties of negotiating with Ukraine compared to Russia.
“I think Russia is ready,” Trump said on Wednesday. “I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far, it’s been harder.”
As the war continues, Ukrainian officials have reported intensified Russian missile and drone attacks on various regions.
In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that two people were killed, and 54 others were injured, including children and a pregnant woman, when drones hit residential buildings.
Meanwhile, a recent drone strike on a bus in the city of Marhanets killed nine people and wounded dozens more.
The ongoing attacks highlight the grim reality of the conflict, which has already led to hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides and forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes.
In response to growing frustrations in Washington, Vice President Vance warned that the U.S. might “walk away” from its role in facilitating peace talks if both Ukraine and Russia fail to reach an agreement.
Tensions also mounted after U.S. officials withdrew from a key diplomatic meeting in London, opting instead to focus on talks with Russian officials.
Despite these challenges, Vance and other U.S. representatives continue to push for a negotiated solution to the conflict, while Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine appears to intensify.
The war, now in its third year, has roots in the 2014 overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president and Russia’s subsequent annexation of Crimea, which remains a major point of contention in the ongoing peace talks.
