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Trump said Ukraine did not try hard enough to take control of Russian-occupied Crimea, pressuring Zelensky for a peace deal...
President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his administration signals it is losing patience trying to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump once again blamed the Ukrainian leader for not moving to end the war that Russia started in a post on his social media page on Wednesday. Trump's pressure comes as European allies meet in London on Wednesday to discuss a peace proposal to end the war — a meeting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff chose to skip after planning to attend.
"It's inflammatory statements like Zelensky's that make it so difficult to resolve this War. He has nothing to brag about!" Trump wrote on Social Truth.
The administration's withdrawal from global peace talks with Europe coincides with warnings from senior Trump officials - including Rubio - who have said the US will walk away from the negotiations if both sides do not come to the table.
Trump previously said that either side – not to mention Russia or Ukraine – could obstruct the negotiations and force Trump's hand to back down.
Trump on Wednesday turned his focus to Zelensky, blaming him for delaying negotiations and saying Ukraine did not fight hard enough for Russian-occupied territory in Crimea.
Ukraine has rejected reports of US-led proposals that would force it to recognise Russia's control of Crimea in a ceasefire deal, an idea that Zelensky dismissed as against their constitution - telling reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that "there is nothing to talk about here".
"No one is asking Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it 11 years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a fight?" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
This is a return to Trump’s previous attacks on Zelensky. Earlier this year, Trump and Vice President JD Vance hosted the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office, and Trump had berated him as a “dictator without an election.” Shortly after taking office, Trump repeatedly blamed Zelensky for the war that Russia started, while persistently demanding a ceasefire — which largely fell apart earlier this month when Russia resumed its offensive.
"The statement made today by Zelensky will do nothing but extend the 'killing field' and no one wants that! We are very close to a deal, but the man who has no 'cards to play' now must finally do it," Trump wrote.
Rubio and Witkoff pulled out at the last minute from a summit of European leaders this week, citing a scheduling conflict — and signaled plans to move forward with the United States' "take it or leave it" proposal.
Other American envoys are still participating in the talks.
"Our team is looking forward to substantive and fruitful technical meetings with our Ukrainian and UK counterparts," Rubio posted on X on Tuesday evening. "I look forward to continuing the ongoing discussions in London and rescheduling my trip to the UK in the coming months," he added.
Trump's remarks follow those of Vance, who called on both countries to accept the ceasefire proposal on Wednesday morning.
"We have issued a very clear proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it is time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process," Vance told reporters during his trip to India.
“The only way to really stop the killing is for the armies to lay down their weapons, freeze this thing, and get on with the business of building a better Russia and a better Ukraine,” he added. / Adapted from Politico/
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