Trump says Ukraine peace deal ‘very close’ but slams Zelensky’s Crimea stance

US President Donald Trump said a deal to halt the Ukraine war was “very close” Wednesday but hit out at Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over his refusal to formally cede Crimea to Russia.

Trump’s comments came as US Vice-President J.D. Vance warned that the United States would “walk away” unless Russia and Ukraine agree on a peace deal, and as envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for downgraded talks in Britain.

US media has reported that Trump is ready to accept recognition of annexed land in Crimea as Russian territory, but Zelensky told journalists this week it was Ukrainian territory and recognising it as Russian “is against our constitution”.

“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelensky’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War,” Trump said in a post on social media, adding that Zelensky’s remarks will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field’”.

He added: “We are very close to a Deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE.”

Earlier, Vance told reporters in India that the US has “issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians”. “It’s time for them to either say ‘yes’, or for the United States to walk away from this process,” he added.