U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for delaying a potential peace deal with Russia, accusing him of undermining negotiations by refusing to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea — a stance that has long been a red line for Kyiv.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said a deal to end the war was “very close,” but claimed Zelensky’s refusal to accept U.S.-brokered terms would “do nothing but prolong” the war. “He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” Trump added.

The comments came as Vice President JD Vance also warned that the U.S. could abandon its diplomatic push if both sides failed to agree. Speaking in India, Vance said Washington had issued a “very explicit proposal” to Moscow and Kyiv and added, “It’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance laid out the administration’s peace vision, saying it would would freeze territorial lines “close to where they are today,”effectively leaving Russia in control of parts of Ukraine, including Crimea and eastern regions seized since the 2022 full-scale invasion. He later clarified, “No, I didn’t say that. What I said is the current line, somewhere close to them is where you’re ultimately, I think, going to draw the new lines in the conflict. Now of course, that means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own. There’s gonna have to be some territorial swaps.”

Zelensky swiftly pushed back, insisting Ukraine would not compromise on its constitutional position. “Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea,” he told reporters. “There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution.”

He later reaffirmed that Ukraine was open to a ceasefire — but only one that would halt attacks on civilians. “We are also ready for an immediate ceasefire at least for civilian targets,” Zelensky said on social media, adding, “This should be a shared first priority with all partners — saving lives.”

“We are very close to a Deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE,” Trump wrote online. However, the idea of formal recognition of Russia’s control of Crimea, annexed illegally in 2014, would reverse over a decade of bipartisan U.S. policy and global consensus against changing borders by force.

Later on Wednesday, Zelensky posted on X that “Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners, in particular the USA, will act in line with its strong decisions.” He included a screenshot of the 2018 Crimea Declaration by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which rejected Russia’s annexation of the peninsula as a violation of international law.

Tensions over the terms of the U.S. peace framework overshadowed a key diplomatic meeting in London on Wednesday. The talks — originally expected to include high-level participation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff — were downgraded after both unexpectedly withdrew.

While the State Department cited “logistical reasons,” European diplomats told The Washington Post that Rubio’s absence reflected internal doubts about the viability of the deal and reluctance to signal false momentum. Lt. Gen. (ret.) Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy, represented the U.S. at the London talks and later described them as “positive.”

“We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy,” said Vance. “But if the Russians and Ukrainians don’t want it, we can’t force it.”

Meanwhile, renewed Russian strikes killed at least nine people and injured over 70 across Ukraine on Wednesday. In Kyiv, drone debris ignited fires and buried civilians under rubble. In Marhanets, a drone strike hit a bus transporting factory workers.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed two deaths in Kyiv, including children and a pregnant woman among the wounded. In Kharkiv, additional air strikes were reported hours after Trump’s online remarks.

The renewed violence came just days after a brief Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey dismissed the truce as a ruse, telling Parliament, “While Putin says he wants peace, he has rejected a full ceasefire.”

Trump’s increasingly public frustrations with Zelensky reflect a broader rift. In February, the two leaders reportedly clashed in a tense Oval Office meeting. Trump told reporters this week, “I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far, it’s been harder.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the administration’s growing impatience. “The president is frustrated. His patience is running very thin,” she said.

Ukrainian officials, however, have made clear they will not accept a deal perceived as surrender. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on X, “There will be no agreement that hands Russia the stronger foundations it needs to regroup and return with greater violence. A full ceasefire is the necessary first step.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin was still open to direct talks with Ukraine, though none are currently scheduled.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, said talks could resume on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome this Saturday, where both Trump and Zelensky are expected to attend.