Trump Accuses Zelenskyy of ‘Stalling’ Ukraine Peace Negotiations

US President Donald Trump says a deal on halting the Ukraine war is “very close,” but slams Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his refusal to formally cede Crimea to Russia. The comments, made just hours before pivotal negotiations in London, reveal deepening rifts between Washington, Kyiv, and European capitals on how to end the war.

“It Is Our Land”: Zelenskyy Holds the Line

Speaking from Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelenskyy dismissed any possibility of ceding the Crimean Peninsula to Moscow as part of a deal. “There is nothing to talk about – it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” he said in a televised address. His remarks came amid reports that Trump-era envoys were pushing for Ukraine to recognise Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in exchange for peace.

Zelenskyy’s defiance drew immediate backlash from Trump, who took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to rebuke the Ukrainian leader for what he called “inflammatory statements.”

“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia,” Trump wrote. “Russia took Crimea in 2014 without a shot being fired. Zelenskyy can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”

Trump’s Peace Push: Concessions or Capitulation?

Trump’s latest remarks coincide with a renewed diplomatic effort involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials in London. Despite the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who abruptly cancelled his trip, American envoy Steve Witkoff presented a series of proposals, several of which Ukrainian and European officials say heavily favour Moscow.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Witkoff’s plan includes:

• Recognition of Crimea as Russian territory
• Gradual lifting of U.S. sanctions on Moscow
• A commitment to block Ukraine’s potential NATO membership

Such conditions have proven contentious. Ukrainian officials were reportedly shocked by the scope of the demands.

“It boggles the mind that the U.S. would ask an ally to give up sovereign territory of its own after an invasion,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basravi, reporting from Kyiv.

Europe Pushes Back: “Ukraine Cannot Be Thrown Under the Bus”

European allies, particularly France and Germany, are signalling unease with the American approach. Mattia Nelles, director of the German-Ukrainian Bureau, described the U.S. proposals as alarming.

“Europe is trying to draw red lines,” Nelles said. “The message is clear: Ukraine cannot be thrown under the bus for the sake of a quick fix.”

Nelles warned that lifting sanctions prematurely could enable Russia to rebuild its military capabilities while leaving Ukraine dangerously vulnerable.

“What the US is also throwing in the mix is sanctions relief, and this is very dangerous,” he said. “It allows Russia to rearm quickly, while Ukraine is left exposed.”

London Talks: Fractures Behind the Scenes

The London negotiations, billed as a step toward de-escalation, instead highlighted division. Vice President JD Vance, speaking from India, emphasized Washington’s frustration with the pace of progress.

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians,” Vance said. “It’s time for them to either say ‘yes’, or for the United States to walk away from this process.”

In contrast, a British government spokesperson stressed the talks’ importance, downplaying Rubio’s absence. “We remain absolutely committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” they said.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, struck a more conciliatory tone following the closed-door meetings.

“Emotions have run high today. But it is good that five countries met to bring peace closer,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs.”

America First, Ukraine Last?

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy and national security adviser, defended the U.S. proposal, calling it a necessary recalibration.

“It’s time to move forward on President Trump’s UKR-RU war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First,” Kellogg said in a statement on X.

But for many in Kyiv and European capitals, the directive feels like a retreat from core principles of sovereignty and international law.

As tensions escalate within the alliance, Zelenskyy remains steadfast: “Ukraine’s borders are not up for negotiation.” But whether Washington ultimately agrees or walks away would determine the future of the ongoing conflict.

Mimi Mefo Info