The Trump administration is intensifying its pressure on Ukraine to negotiate a peace agreement that would conclude the ongoing conflict with Russia. This shift comes as President Donald Trump reportedly expresses growing frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Frustration from the White House

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz acknowledged on Thursday that President Trump’s patience with President Zelenskyy is waning. Waltz revealed that discussions held on Wednesday between U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, and Ukrainian officials were aimed at helping Kyiv understand the necessity of halting the war.

“President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelenskyy, the fact that he hasn’t come to the table, that he hasn’t been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered,” Waltz stated during a White House press briefing.

Waltz emphasized the importance of ending the conflict, asserting, “It certainly isn’t in Russia’s interest or in the American people’s interest for this war to grind on forever and ever and ever.”

Calls for Dialogue with Russia

Vice President JD Vance also defended the Trump administration’s recent meetings with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, despite objections from Ukrainian representatives. He contended that dialogue with Russia is crucial for advancing a peace deal, suggesting that Europe might be on the brink of peace for the first time in three years.

“How are you going to end the war unless you’re talking to Russia?” Vance stated at the Conservative Political Action Conference, underscoring the necessity of engaging all parties involved in the conflict.

Tensions Between Leaders

The push for negotiations follows a series of tense exchanges between Trump and Zelenskyy. Following the meetings between U.S. and Russian officials, Zelenskyy accused Trump of propagating Russian “disinformation.” Trump retaliated by labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator” who has failed his country and insinuated that Ukraine was responsible for initiating the conflict.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022, marking the start of the ongoing hostilities.

Meetings and Accusations

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials met with Russian leaders, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Riyadh to explore potential solutions to the conflict. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy expressed disappointment at not receiving an invitation to the talks, asserting, “nobody decides anything behind our back,” and reaffirming that Ukraine would not consent to any negotiations without its involvement.

Prospects for Peace

The United States has indicated a willingness to accommodate some of Russia’s demands in peace discussions. Trump remarked in an interview that he believes Russia holds a more advantageous position in the negotiations due to the territorial gains it has made since the conflict began.

As of January, Russian forces controlled approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory, according to the Brookings Institution. Concerns have arisen that Ukraine might be pressured into concessions, with Trump’s former Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggesting that regaining pre-war borders could be unrealistic.

“Putin is going to pocket this and ask for more,” said Brett Bruen, former director of global engagement under President Obama, highlighting the risks of premature concessions.

Implications of Holding Elections in Ukraine

Additional pressure on Zelenskyy has come regarding the possibility of holding elections in Ukraine, which Russia sees as a essential precondition for a peace agreement. Zelenskyy, whose term was supposed to conclude nearly a year ago, remains in office largely due to the constitutional barring of elections under martial law, a status Ukraine has been under since February 2022.

Trump criticized the situation, mentioning that not only Russia is pushing for elections, but also elements within the U.S. administration. This places Zelenskyy in a precarious position, as he may soon have little choice but to yield to external pressures.

Future Outlook

K.T. McFarland, Trump’s former deputy National Security Advisor, raised concerns over Zelenskyy’s ability to refuse deals amid their severe circumstances. In an interview, she posed a provocative question: “How does he plan to keep this country safe for the next 20, 30, 40 years if he walks away from the negotiations?”

With the backdrop of Trump’s vow to end the conflict if elected in 2024, the dynamics among these leaders continue to evolve, making it evident that Ukraine’s future will heavily depend on the decisions made in the coming weeks and months.