Tensions flared once again between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, as the two leaders disagreed sharply over the path to peace in Ukraine and the status of Crimea.
At the center of the latest dispute is a controversial U.S. peace proposal that calls for freezing territorial lines roughly where they stand and pursuing a long-term diplomatic solution. The plan, strongly backed by the Trump administration, has drawn criticism from Kyiv, particularly over its failure to address Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters in India, reiterated the administration’s stance, saying, “It’s time for Russia and Ukraine to either agree to the U.S. peace proposal or for the United States to walk away from this process.” He added that the only way to halt the war was for both sides “to put down their weapons, to freeze this thing.”
President Trump, who assumed office in January, has reversed longstanding U.S. policy on Ukraine, urging a ceasefire and reducing diplomatic pressure on Russia. He has repeatedly insisted that peace is within reach—if Ukraine accepts new realities on the ground.
However, President Zelenskyy remains firm in his opposition, especially regarding Crimea. Speaking on Tuesday, he declared, “There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution,” in response to suggestions Ukraine might concede the peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
In a pointed post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s remarks as “inflammatory,” claiming that Crimea was “lost years ago and is not even a point of discussion.” He maintained that the U.S. was focused on “stopping the killing” and believed a peace deal was within reach.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, took to X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on recent high-stakes talks in London between U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials. He admitted the discussions were emotionally charged but remained hopeful that ongoing efforts would lead to peace. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to its constitution and territorial integrity, posting a 2018 Crimea Declaration signed by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which states: “The United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.”
Despite the growing public friction, Trump claimed the London talks “went pretty well,” but emphasized the need for leadership from both sides. “We’ve got to get two people, two strong people, two smart people, to agree. And as soon as they agree, the killing will stop,” he said.
As the war drags into its third year, the clash underscores the deepening divide over how best to bring the conflict to an end—and the growing strain between Washington and Kyiv under Trump’s renewed leadership.
