President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to move quickly in negotiating an end to the war with Russia, warning that continued resistance could leave Ukraine without a country to govern. The remarks, delivered in a social media post and reiterated in a speech to business leaders in Miami, signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership and have sparked mixed reactions domestically and abroad.

Trump’s administration has sought to broker a resolution to the conflict, recently engaging in talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia—negotiations that notably excluded Ukrainian and European representatives. While the White House has framed these discussions as an effort to bring peace, critics argue that bypassing Kyiv undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and strengthens Moscow’s position.

Zelenskyy pushed back against Trump’s rhetoric, accusing him of echoing Russian disinformation. The Ukrainian leader defended his administration’s wartime decisions, including the postponement of elections, and rejected claims that his government had misused American aid. Vice President JD Vance, however, advised Zelenskyy against publicly criticizing Trump, suggesting that such comments would not improve Ukraine’s standing with the administration.

During his speech, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for failing to secure peace sooner, stating that the war “never had to happen.” He also claimed that Ukraine had taken advantage of American financial support and labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections.” The administration has signaled that further U.S. aid to Ukraine will be contingent on Kyiv demonstrating a willingness to negotiate.

The president’s remarks have sparked a sharp response from both parties in Congress. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the comments “a betrayal of Ukraine.” Some Republicans also distanced themselves from Trump’s assertion that Ukraine was responsible for the war, with Senator John Kennedy stating unequivocally that “Putin started this war.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune called for patience in diplomatic efforts, saying the administration needed room to maneuver in negotiations.

Adding to tensions, a dispute over a proposed U.S.-Ukraine agreement on rare earth minerals has further complicated relations. Ukrainian officials rejected the deal, arguing that it was too focused on American interests and failed to provide security guarantees. Trump expressed frustration over Kyiv’s decision, accusing Ukraine of walking away from an opportunity to strengthen its economic ties with Washington.