President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday (April 23) for rejecting a proposal to cede Crimea to Russia as part of peace negotiations. Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the conflict, referring to the ongoing war as a "killing field." Zelenskyy, however, firmly stated that Crimea is Ukrainian land and not negotiable.

Trump expressed his views on Truth Social, stating that Crimea was lost years ago under President Barack Obama and should not be a point of discussion. He argued that Zelenskyy's stance is harmful to peace talks and claimed that a deal is "very close." Trump added that if he were still president, the conflict would not have started.

"It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," Trump wrote.

During recent talks in Paris, U.S. officials presented a proposal that would allow Russia to retain control of occupied Ukrainian territories. Vice President JD Vance emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that it is time for both Russia and Ukraine to decide on the proposal or risk the U.S. stepping away from the negotiations.

The ongoing talks in London involve lower-ranking officials after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian officials, including Andrii Yermak, continue to emphasize their commitment to peace efforts.

Michael Berry