Donald Trump warns Zelensky to make peace with Russia ‘or lose everything’
Former president blasts Ukraine leader as U.S. support shifts and peace talks stall
Donald Trump has sent his strongest warning yet to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him to strike a peace deal with Russia — or risk the total collapse of his country.
Donald Trump has long said he could end the war between Ukraine and Russia in just 24 hours if given the chance. But after over two years of conflict and no peace in sight, the former president seems to be losing his patience.
In a late-night post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused Zelensky of “dragging out the war” and ignoring chances to end the bloodshed. His message was blunt and alarming:
“He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” Trump wrote. “Nobody wants that.”
The statement came just after Zelensky told The Wall Street Journal that Ukraine would never recognize Russia’s control of Crimea — a comment that set Trump off. He called Zelensky’s refusal to compromise “very harmful to peace negotiations,” saying the fight over Crimea was “lost years ago under Obama” and shouldn’t be reopened now.
U.S. pressure mounts
Trump wasn’t alone in expressing frustration. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, told reporters in Paris that the U.S. may soon walk away from the talks completely if no progress is made.
“We need to decide whether this is even possible or not,” Rubio said. “If it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on. It’s not our war.”
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials are reportedly pulling out of upcoming meetings, including one planned in London. Instead, Trump’s top peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, was seen heading to Moscow to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin — a clear sign the U.S. might be shifting sides in how it handles the conflict.
Trump’s dramatic shift in tone hasn’t gone unnoticed abroad. A British government official, speaking anonymously to The Daily Mail, said the U.S. is “messing up everything” from Ukraine to international trade deals.
Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace went even further, accusing Trump of surrounding himself with “media pundits and real estate salesmen” who have no grasp of global politics.
“The next war will happen not because of Ukraine’s actions,” Wallace said, “but because of Donald Trump and his red-neck team of Walter Mittys.”
At the heart of this growing crisis is a simple question: should Ukraine hold its ground — or accept a deal that may involve painful concessions?
Zelensky has stayed firm on not giving up any land, especially Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. But with the U.S. signaling it might step back, Ukraine may be left with fewer allies and more pressure to compromise.
Trump’s warning reflects a possible new chapter in the war — one where America’s role shifts from strong supporter to impatient negotiator.
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s biggest backer throughout the war, providing weapons, money, and political support. But Trump’s latest comments suggest a major turning point. If America steps back now, it could leave Ukraine more vulnerable — and give Russia the upper hand in future talks.
It also raises tough questions about how future wars are handled, who decides when to push for peace, and whether global leaders can truly put diplomacy first.
As Trump turns up the pressure on Zelensky, the world watches closely. Will Ukraine stand firm — or be forced into a deal that changes the course of its future?
