Trump Says Zelenskyy Is Slowing Peace Talks in Ukraine War
President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slowing progress on peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, a claim that shifts attention from long-standing views that Moscow is the main barrier to negotiations.
In a Reuters interview Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal while Ukraine is less willing, although he did not detail specific objections by Kyiv.
Trump Blames Zelenskyy for Stalled Talks
Trump told Reuters that U.S.-led negotiations have failed to produce a peace deal because Ukraine has not moved quickly enough toward agreement. He contrasted this with his assessment that Putin may be open to talks.
The remarks stand in contrast to comments from European leaders who have argued Russia remains the primary obstacle to an end to hostilities. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, for example, rejected the idea that Ukraine is to blame and said it is Russia that has slowed peace efforts.
Reactions and Context
The Kremlin publicly backed Trump’s comments, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov aligning Moscow with the assessment that Ukraine is holding up a deal. Russian officials said they are open to talks and that their terms are known to U.S. negotiators.
European and U.S. lawmakers have pushed back, noting continued Russian military operations and lack of clear commitment to meaningful concessions. Analysts have said Moscow benefits from prolonging the conflict militarily.
Ukrainian officials maintain Kyiv will not concede territory it controls or make concessions that undermine its legal rights and security. Ukrainian law bars ceding sovereign land without broad support.
Ongoing Negotiations
Peace negotiations have continued with U.S. envoys engaging both sides, but key issues like territorial control in eastern Ukraine and security guarantees remain unresolved. Previous meetings at Mar-a-Lago saw both leaders describe progress on a 20-point plan, but unresolved issues persist.
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