Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated again after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of not yet reviewing a U.S.-supported peace proposal. Trump told reporters late Sunday that he believed Ukrainian officials were receptive to the plan, but insisted that their president had not personally examined it. His remarks added renewed pressure on Kyiv at a sensitive moment in negotiations intended to chart a path toward ending the conflict with Russia.
Trump suggested that Moscow might be willing to accept the broad framework of the proposal, although he acknowledged uncertainty about Ukraine’s willingness to do the same. His comments came shortly after U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded a round of discussions in Miami without announcing progress toward a finalized draft. Multiple iterations of the peace plan have circulated in recent weeks as negotiators attempt to resolve disputes over territorial arrangements and the long-term security guarantees Ukraine is seeking from its allies. These unresolved issues remain central to the debate, particularly regarding demands for concessions in areas occupied by Russian forces.
Keith Kellogg, who is departing his role as the U.S. envoy for Ukraine, said over the weekend that negotiators were close to reaching an agreement, contingent on settling two of the most contentious matters: the future governance of the Donbas region and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He indicated that these points were the final major barriers to a comprehensive settlement, although he did not specify the details under discussion.
Ukrainian leadership, however, offered a more restrained assessment. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy stated that the talks held in Miami between his newly appointed chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, military chief of general staff Andriy Hnatov, and U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were constructive but difficult. Zelenskyy stressed that he intended to review the negotiations in depth with his team in person, signaling that the complexity and sensitivity of the talks required direct, private consultation.
On Monday, Zelenskyy traveled to London for a series of meetings aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s diplomatic position as it faces mounting U.S. pressure to accept a plan seen by many in Kyiv and across Europe as overly favorable to Russian interests. Leaders across Europe are increasingly engaged as they seek assurances that any agreement will protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and broader regional security. Zelenskyy met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for discussions focused on the ongoing negotiations and potential next steps. His diplomatic tour will continue with scheduled visits to Brussels and Rome, underscoring Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen international support while navigating one of the most consequential phases of the conflict.
