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By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
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Russia's Foreign Ministry has accused Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky of seeking to "torpedo" the peace process, after his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump expressed his renewed frustrations with Kyiv's leader.
Why It Matters
Trump's tensions with Zelensky are useful leverage for Russia in its dealings with the U.S. Moscow will seek to drive a greater wedge between Washington and Kyiv to advance its strategic interests in Ukraine, with or without a peace deal.
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What To Know
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at her press briefing that Zelensky had disrupted the peace talks in London, which were downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out.
Rubio reportedly withdrew after Ukraine made clear they would not accept an American draft peace proposal that included recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in a 2014 invasion.
"In fact, if we call a spade a spade, Zelensky disrupted the London round of consultations, convincingly confirming [his] intentions to torpedo the emerging peace process at any cost," Zakharova said, according to a report by Russian state news agency TASS.
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry via email for comment.
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Trump Slams Zelensky Over Crimea
Zelensky had said at a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, as his officials prepared to head to London: "Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There's nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution."
Trump referred to Zelensky's comments in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday and accused the Ukrainian president of harming the peace talks. He denied asking that Crimea be recognized as Russian.
"This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion," Trump wrote.
"Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" the president added.
"The area also houses, for many years before 'the Obama handover,' major Russian submarine bases. It's inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy's that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about!"
Trump added: "The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the 'killing field,' and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE."
Zelensky Wants Immediate, Unconditional Ceasefire
However, Zelensky has said Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire and says only Russia is standing in the way of such a deal. He cited Putin's unilateral 30-hour "Easter truce" as evidence that peace is in Moscow's hands.
"In Ukraine, we insist on an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire," Zelensky posted on X on Wednesday.
"That was the proposal put forward by the United States on March 11 of this year—and it was absolutely reasonable. This is absolutely possible—but only if Russia agrees and stops the killing."
Zelensky added: "Ukraine has repeatedly said that it does not rule out any format that can lead to a ceasefire and, ultimately, real peace."
What Happens Next
Despite the tensions, Trump said he thinks a deal with Russia and Ukraine is still close.
The president's ultimatum—that the U.S. will walk away from the process without progress very soon—has focused minds. But it remains to be seen if gaps over issues such as territorial concessions and the future security of Ukraine can be bridged any time soon.
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