Trump Says Ukraine War “Still Very, Very Far Away” From Ending as Tensions With Zelensky Resurface

In a fresh sign of strain between Washington and Kyiv, President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that the war with Russia remains “still very, very far away” from a resolution despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and high‑level talks.

Trump’s remarks come just days after Zelensky travelled to the president’s Mar‑a‑Lago resort in Florida for intensive discussions on a proposed peace framework aimed at ending nearly four years of conflict. While both leaders described the meeting as constructive, Trump has increasingly signalled frustration with what he calls “thorny issues” that continue to block a final agreement.

A Meeting Marked by Optimism — and Undercurrents of Tension

Zelensky’s visit to Florida was intended to accelerate negotiations on a 20‑point peace plan, which includes security guarantees for Ukraine and a long‑term economic support package. Trump initially hailed the talks as “terrific” and said “a lot of progress” had been made. Zelensky, for his part, described the discussions as “really great” and insisted that U.S.–Ukraine security guarantees were “100% agreed” — though Trump offered a more cautious assessment.

However, the president’s subsequent comments have cast doubt on how close the two sides truly are to a breakthrough. Speaking after the meeting, Trump acknowledged that while Ukraine and Russia may be “closer than ever before” to a peace deal, negotiations remain fragile and could “still break down”.

“Still Very, Very Far Away”

According to aides familiar with the discussions, Trump has privately expressed irritation over what he views as Kyiv’s unwillingness to compromise on territorial issues — a sticking point repeatedly described as “thorny” by the president in public remarks.

In comments made to reporters this week, Trump went further, saying the war was “still very, very far away” from ending, despite Zelensky’s insistence that a framework for peace is nearly complete. The president’s tone marks a notable shift from the optimism he projected immediately after the Mar‑a‑Lago meeting.

Diplomats say the divergence reflects deeper tensions over the pace and direction of negotiations. Zelensky has maintained that any agreement must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Trump has pushed for what he calls a “realistic” settlement that could require Kyiv to make concessions.

Putin Call Adds to Diplomatic Friction

Complicating matters further, Trump held an extended phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before meeting Zelensky — a move that raised eyebrows among European allies and Ukrainian officials. While the White House described the call as “routine,” European leaders privately expressed concern that Washington may be coordinating too closely with Moscow during the final stages of the talks.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said Europe remained “ready to keep working with Ukraine and our U.S. partners,” but acknowledged that the situation remained delicate.

A Peace Deal Still Out of Reach

Despite repeated assurances from both Trump and Zelensky that a peace agreement is “very close,” the path forward remains uncertain. Analysts say the negotiations are entering a critical phase, with the risk of collapse growing if the two sides cannot reconcile their differences on territory, security guarantees, and long‑term political arrangements.

For now, Trump’s latest comments underscore the widening gap between Washington and Kyiv — and raise fresh questions about whether the long‑awaited end to the war is truly within reach.