Disgruntled Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to End War Amidst Tensions

The White House says President Trump is "extremely frustrated" with both Ukraine and Russia over stalled peace talks, while Ukrainian President Zelensky reveals Washington continues pressing Kiev to give up territory to Moscow. The dispute centers on a 28-point American peace plan that aligns with many Russian demands, creating a diplomatic standoff as the war approaches its third year.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt told reporters that Trump is fed up with both warring sides and tired of meetings that accomplish nothing. "He doesn't want more talk, he wants action. He wants this war to end," she said. The frustration comes as negotiations have hit major roadblocks over territorial concessions and military withdrawals.

Zelensky pushed back against the American proposal during a press conference, saying the US wants only Ukraine to withdraw forces from parts of Donetsk region. The plan calls for creating a weapons-free "economic zone" between the two armies, but Ukraine would bear the burden of retreat while Russia keeps its current positions in southern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader identified two main sticking points: the Donetsk region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He rejected any unilateral Ukrainian withdrawal, asking why Russia shouldn't pull back the same distance in the opposite direction. "I have no constitutional or moral right to give up Ukrainian territory," Zelensky said, adding that any territorial settlement must be approved by Ukrainian voters through elections or referendum.

Under the modified American plan, Russia would withdraw from areas it occupies in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk - three regions Moscow hasn't formally claimed. But Russia would keep positions in four regions it declared annexed in 2022: Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, despite not fully controlling them.

The territorial dispute matters because Ukraine still controls about one-fifth of Donetsk region, according to Institute for the Study of War data. Meanwhile, Russia continues making gradual battlefield gains thanks to superior numbers and equipment. Moscow recently claimed control of Seversk city in Donetsk, though Ukrainian forces deny losing the town.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called next week "decisive" for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for "just and lasting peace." She stressed that any peace agreement must not contain seeds of future conflict or destabilize Europe's entire security structure. Her comments reflect European concerns that a rushed settlement could reward Russian aggression and encourage future conflicts.

For markets and geopolitics, the stalemate signals prolonged uncertainty. Energy prices, defense spending, and reconstruction investments all hinge on whether negotiations produce a sustainable settlement or the conflict drags on. The gap between American urgency to end the war and Ukrainian resistance to territorial concessions suggests diplomatic resolution remains elusive, potentially extending economic disruptions and military aid commitments well into 2025.