Trump Criticizes Putin and Zelenskyy in Peace Push/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy as U.S.-led efforts to secure a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire stall. Trump criticized Zelenskyy over a mineral deal and NATO ambitions while threatening new sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, deadly drone attacks in Kharkiv underscored the escalating violence.
Trump Criticizes Both Putin and Zelenskyy in Peace Push: Quick Looks
- Trump expresses frustration with leaders of both Russia and Ukraine.
- Calls out Putin for undermining Zelenskyy’s credibility in peace talks.
- Criticizes Zelenskyy over rare earth deal and NATO expectations.
- U.S.-led ceasefire proposal faces resistance from the Kremlin.
- Deadly Russian drone attacks strike military and civilian sites in Kharkiv.
- Zelenskyy accuses Russia of dragging out negotiations to seize more territory.
- Trump hints at new tariffs and sanctions to pressure Russia.
- Ukraine reports significant uptick in drone and missile attacks.
Deep Look: Trump Blames Putin and Zelenskyy as Peace Deal Efforts Stumble
President Donald Trump, in a rare move, publicly criticized both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he pushes for a resolution to the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine. With ceasefire talks showing few signs of real progress, Trump acknowledged the deep mistrust between the two leaders and expressed growing frustration with each side’s posture.
Speaking to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Sunday, Trump revealed his impatience with what he described as a lack of cooperation from both Moscow and Kyiv.
“There’s tremendous hatred,” he said, referring to the personal and political animosity between Putin and Zelenskyy. Despite claiming “a lot of progress,” Trump’s remarks indicated a widening gap between expectations and reality.
Rare Rebuke of Putin and Threat of New Sanctions
Trump, known for his typically restrained tone when discussing Putin, expressed uncharacteristic irritation over the Russian leader’s recent suggestion that Zelenskyy lacks legitimacy as a negotiation partner. Putin reportedly questioned Ukraine’s capacity for self-governance, citing martial law as an impediment to democratic processes.
“I’m angry, pissed off,” Trump said, highlighting Putin’s dismissive comments. The president floated the idea of additional sanctions on Russia and potential tariffs targeting its oil exports—measures aimed at raising economic pressure without escalating military involvement.
Still, Trump tempered his criticism somewhat, later saying, “I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word,” referring to Putin, and noted their long-standing relationship. However, he emphasized a “psychological deadline” for Russia to engage seriously in peace efforts, warning against being misled in prolonged talks.
Frustration with Zelenskyy over Strategic Agreements
Trump didn’t spare Zelenskyy from criticism either. He accused the Ukrainian president of trying to back out of a U.S.-Ukraine rare earth mineral deal and seeking improved security assurances before finalizing the agreement. The deal was intended to secure American access to key materials vital for manufacturing and defense industries.
“If he does that, he’s got some problems. Big, big problems,” Trump warned.
Tensions between the two leaders were already visible when Zelenskyy visited the White House for a planned signing ceremony. Instead of a show of unity, the meeting ended with visible strain and disagreement, captured on camera in the Oval Office.
Trump also dismissed Zelenskyy’s aspiration to join NATO, declaring bluntly, “He was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.”
Peace Talks Stalled, Kremlin Rejects U.S. Proposal
Despite U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire, Russia has rejected a recent American proposal for a 30-day pause in fighting. Discussions of a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea region faltered after Russian negotiators attached far-reaching conditions that Ukraine deemed unacceptable.
This comes amid growing pressure from Washington on Kyiv to engage in negotiations, even as Russia’s military actions escalate.
Kharkiv Under Fire: Deadly Drone Strikes Kill Civilians
While talks remain stalled, Russia has intensified its military campaign. Over the weekend, Russian drone attacks devastated parts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Strikes hit a military hospital, a shopping center, and residential buildings, killing two civilians—a 67-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman—and injuring dozens.
Ukraine’s General Staff condemned the attack, calling it a “deliberate, targeted shelling” of a facility housing wounded service members. The strikes underscore the ongoing humanitarian toll of the war and the urgency of halting hostilities.
Ukrainian officials warned that Russia may be preparing a renewed military offensive aimed at strengthening its hand in ceasefire talks. The country’s air force reported that Russia launched 111 explosive drones and decoys overnight, with 65 intercepted and 35 disrupted by electronic countermeasures.
President Zelenskyy said Sunday that “most regions of Ukraine” were under attack over the past week. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he detailed a barrage of 1,310 guided aerial bombs, over 1,000 ‘Shahed’ drones, and nine ballistic and cruise missiles launched by Russia.
Zelenskyy repeated his long-standing claim that Russia is intentionally prolonging the war, not to negotiate in good faith but to consolidate territorial gains.
“Russia is dragging out the war just to buy time and then try to grab more land,” he said, echoing remarks from earlier in the week during a visit to Paris.
Russia Claims New Ground Amid Escalation
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced Sunday that its forces had captured a village in the contested Donetsk region, although Ukraine has not confirmed the report. The claim, if verified, would mark a modest but symbolic territorial gain amid the deadlocked conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia also reported shooting down six Ukrainian drones, continuing the tit-for-tat strikes that have characterized the war’s most recent phase.
Outlook: Mounting Pressure, Few Clear Paths Forward
With battlefield violence surging and negotiations stalling, the possibility of a peaceful resolution appears remote. Trump’s increasingly public frustration with both parties may signal a shift in strategy, but it remains unclear whether his administration can break the impasse.
Both Zelenskyy and Putin remain entrenched, and while Trump has promised results, the complexity of the conflict and growing international fatigue may limit his options. The war continues to test diplomatic resolve and expose rifts not only between nations but also between allies and adversaries alike.
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