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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly rejected claims that Ukraine is standing in the way of peace, responding to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump that suggested Kyiv was less willing than Moscow to reach a deal to end the war. Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine has never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace, underscoring his position during a nightly video address following a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The remarks came after Trump told Reuters that he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to make a deal, while Ukraine, led by Zelenskiy, was “less ready.” When asked why U.S.-led negotiations had not yet resolved the nearly four-year-old war, Trump directly cited Zelenskiy as the reason. These comments sparked swift reactions from Kyiv and Moscow, highlighting ongoing tensions around diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s largest land conflict since World War Two.
Zelenskiy countered that Russia’s actions on the battlefield contradict any claims of genuine interest in peace. He pointed to continued Russian missile strikes, drone attacks, and assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as clear evidence that Moscow is not committed to meaningful agreements. According to Zelenskiy, it is Russia’s ongoing aggression that is delaying progress toward a peaceful resolution, not Ukraine’s stance.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed Trump’s criticism, stating that Russia agrees Ukraine is holding up a potential deal. Peskov added that President Putin and the Russian leadership remain open to negotiations, reinforcing Russia’s narrative that it is prepared for talks despite continued military operations.
Zelenskiy, however, pledged that Ukraine would intensify its diplomatic efforts, particularly with the United States, to demonstrate its commitment to peace. Relations between Trump and Zelenskiy have been volatile, including a widely reported shouting match in the Oval Office in February 2025 involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance. While their interactions reportedly improved in later meetings, the latest exchange shows that disagreements over responsibility for stalled peace talks remain a major issue in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
