US President Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of obstructing peace talks on Wednesday, the 23rd of April, saying that an agreement was “very close” but that Zelenskyy’s refusal to accept US conditions would “only prolong” the conflict, after the Ukrainian president announced that Kyiv would not accept Russian control over Crimea, according to BBC.
Ukraine has long said it will not give up Crimea, the southern peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance outlined the US vision for the deal, saying it would “freeze territorial borders […] close to what they are today”. He said that the agreement would mean that Ukraine and Russia “would both have to give up some of the territory they currently hold”.
The administration has not yet publicly offered specifics on what geographical concessions would have to be made.
When reporters at the White House asked Trump whether the administration was willing to recognise that Crimea belongs to Russia, Trump replied that he simply wants the war to end.
“I HAVE NO FAVOURITES. I DON’T WANT TO HAVE ANY FAVORITES. I WANT TO SEE AN AGREEMENT,” HE SAID.
For Zelenskyy, recognising Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea would not only be politically impossible, it would also contravene post-war international law, which states that borders cannot be changed by force. He has said that this would be contrary to the Ukrainian constitution.
The comments between Trump and Zelenskyy are the latest chapter in a tense relationship.
Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he found it easier to deal with Russia than with Ukraine.
“I think Russia is ready,” Trump said, noting that he believes they are getting closer to reaching a deal with the Kremlin but have not reached an agreement with Ukraine. “I think it will be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far it has been more difficult.”
He did not comment on his meeting with the Ukrainian leader when world leaders gather for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
During the election campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could end the Ukraine-Russia war in a day, but as he approaches his 100th day in office, a ceasefire remains elusive.
“THE PRESIDENT IS FRUSTRATED,” WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY CAROLINE LEAVITT TOLD REPORTERS. “HIS PATIENCE IS RUNNING THIN.”
Vance warned on Wednesday that the US would “step back” from its role if Russia and Ukraine do not reach a deal, echoing comments made by Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week.
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine since Wednesday after announcing a short pause at Easter.
Overnight, Ukraine reported Russian missile and drone attacks on several regions.
The mayor of the capital Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said two people had been killed and 54 wounded. Drone debris sparked several fires and several people were trapped under the rubble of a residential building, he said.
In the north-east, explosions were reported in Kharkiv.
Nine people were killed and dozens more injured earlier in the eastern Ukrainian city of Markhanets when a Russian drone hit a bus carrying workers.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed or injured on both sides since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, and nearly seven million Ukrainians are now refugees.
The conflict has been going on for more than a decade, since 2014, when the pro-Russian President of Ukraine was ousted. Russia then annexed Crimea and supported militants in the bloody fighting in eastern Ukraine.