President Donald Trump expressed public frustration Sunday night over what he described as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s failure to review a U.S.-brokered peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal,” Trump told reporters outside the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “That was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he has it. Russia is fine with it… but I’m not sure Zelensky is fine with it.”
The comments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts led by the Trump administration to end the bloody conflict. Trump’s special envoys — real estate executive Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner — have been engaging in shuttle diplomacy between Moscow and Kyiv in recent weeks, attempting to forge a path toward a negotiated settlement.
Tensions Behind the Scenes
Zelensky confirmed that he had met with Witkoff and Kushner but said the talks were “not easy.” In a statement posted on social media, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s demands for justice and accountability over what he called Russia’s “constant terror” and “daily strikes” on civilians.
“Ukraine deserves a dignified peace,” Zelensky said. “And whether there will be peace depends entirely on Russia — on our collective pressure on Russia and on the sound negotiating positions of the United States, Europe, and all our other partners.”
While Zelensky did not outright reject the Trump plan, his remarks signaled ongoing distrust and concern about pressure to settle too quickly without addressing key Ukrainian security concerns.
Where the Deal Stands
The Trump peace framework — a 28-point proposal crafted last month — has been described by U.S. officials as a balanced offer designed to end the war without rewarding aggression. But according to U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, two major sticking points remain: the future of the Donbas region and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Kellogg said Sunday that the two sides are “really, really close” to a final agreement.
“If we get those two issues settled, I think the rest of the things will work out fairly well,” Kellogg said. “We’re almost there.”
Russian Demands and Roadblocks
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Sunday that President Vladimir Putin had discussed the U.S. proposal during a four-hour meeting with Kushner and Witkoff in Moscow. According to Ushakov, Russia believes the proposal requires “radical changes,” particularly around “territorial problems.” He did not provide specifics.
The Kremlin has long demanded official control over the Donbas, a region now mostly occupied by Russian forces, while Ukraine continues to fiercely hold portions of it. Kyiv also maintains that any deal must address Russian presence near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which remains under threat due to ongoing military activity.
Europe Watching From the Sidelines
With negotiations largely driven by Washington, European leaders have reportedly been left on the sidelines. Zelensky is scheduled to meet with officials in London, Brussels, and Rome this week in what observers believe is an attempt to rally broader Western support before making any final commitments.
Trump, who pledged to end the war “on day one” of his second term, has seen multiple rounds of negotiations stall and restart throughout the past year. The Miami talks last week were expected to make major progress, but sources say the Ukrainian delegation walked away without endorsing the plan.
The White House remains hopeful that progress can still be made in the coming days. But Trump made clear Sunday that he expects Zelensky to personally engage with the offer on the table.
“I want peace, and I think we’re close,” Trump said. “But the leaders need to lead.”
The post Trump Frustrated as Zelensky Delays Response to U.S. Peace Plan appeared first on Real News Now.
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