Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again voiced his frustration with the United States over remarks made by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who appeared to endorse Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine in a recent interview. This latest episode heightens concerns regarding the U.S. position towards the ongoing war with Russia, particularly given the backdrop of a critical peace process.
During an interview with right-wing podcast host Tucker Carlson, Witkoff stated, “There’s a view within the country of Russia that these are Russian territories.” Such statements were met with harsh criticism from Zelensky. On March 25, 2025, he retorted that “a lot of the information spread by some people and the person you mentioned… are very much in line with the messages of the Kremlin.” This isn’t the first time Witkoff’s comments have raised eyebrows, as they have been interpreted in Kyiv as evidence of a troubling shift in the U.S. administration’s stance towards Russia.
Amidst this tense backdrop, Zelensky is especially concerned about the ongoing drone strikes over Ukrainian cities. On the same day as his comments regarding Witkoff, he asserted, “No one can legitimise these referendums because they were held at gunpoint,” referring to a series of Russian-conducted referendums in occupied regions that Ukraine and much of the international community denounce as illegal.
These recent developments come in the wake of a turbulent meeting between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28, 2025. The meeting, which ended acrimoniously, was intended to focus on the peace process initiated by Trump. However, Zelensky indicated that the conversation turned sidetracked, ultimately leading to a heated exchange where Trump accused him of “gambling with World War III” and branded him “disrespectful.”
Reflecting on that encounter during an interview with TIME, Zelensky emphasized that his motivation was to ensure that Trump understood the parameters acceptable to Ukraine regarding potential peace terms. “I wanted to make sure that Trump understood what terms Ukraine could accept and what it would find too humiliating after more than three years of all-out war with Russia,” Zelensky elaborated. “For [Vladimir Putin], in my view, the point is to put pressure on us, on everyone.”
Recently, Zelensky voiced concerns regarding the suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which included the halting of intelligence sharing. “Any suspension or pause in support certainly does not do anything good for us on the battlefield, and for our defense,” he stated. The uncertainty of U.S. support weighs heavily on the morale of Ukrainian forces and complicates the already dire situation.
Compounding these pressures, Zelensky remarked on the influence Russia may have had over parts of Trump’s administration. “I think Russia managed to influence some members of the White House team through information,” he posited, framing it as an attempt to distort perceptions regarding Ukraine’s commitment to peace. He noted, “Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them.”
Zelensky also recalled how his team presented photos of Ukrainian prisoners of war during their meeting with Trump, emphasizing that “it’s not about some political steps, no. It’s about people.” He lamented, “It’s always very hard to get around to that” when discussing negotiation terms, but insisted that it’s of utmost significance.
Following these statements, the need for effective diplomacy has come under scrutiny, particularly as Washington attempts to broker a peace deal. Delegates from the U.S. have held separate meetings with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, aiming to lay the groundwork for a ceasefire amidst ongoing hostilities. Zelensky has expressed concern that while there seems to be an eagerness from Washington to engage in negotiations, the approach taken may inadvertently favor Russian positions.
In response to Zelensky's concerns, Trump stated, “Luke, they want to see it settled. I think that if I were president, this would never happen,” suggesting that a resolution to the conflict was within grasp if the parties move in the right direction.
As the discussions continue, a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that a significant majority of Ukrainians, over three-quarters, support Trump's push for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. However, the response from the Kremlin remains ambiguous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin only agreeing to a limited ceasefire while refraining from committing to a broader agreement.
Trump’s administration, meanwhile, has been reportedly keen to showcase its position as a mediator, which has raised concerns for Zelensky. He fears that such positioning might undercut Ukraine’s interests in the long run. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently reiterated that the discussions are strictly technical and that the results will not be made public immediately, highlighting the delicate nature of the ongoing negotiations.
In summary, while both sides seem to agree on the need to settle the conflict, the means by which they pursue this end remain contentious. With statements echoing through Washington and Kyiv, the importance of navigating this landscape carefully cannot be overstated. Zelensky remains unwavering in his belief that Russia’s influence must be addressed directly to progress toward a lasting peace.
