U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed again over efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with Trump criticizing Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Axar.az, citing Reuters, reports that Vice President JD Vance warned that the U.S. may walk away from the peace process if Russia and Ukraine don’t accept a U.S. proposal to freeze the front lines and begin a long-term diplomatic settlement. The plan reportedly includes recognizing Crimea as Russian, a move Ukraine firmly rejects.

Zelensky reiterated that ceding Crimea is unconstitutional and unacceptable. Trump accused him of making peace harder and claimed the U.S. is close to a deal.

The situation reflects a growing rift, as Trump seeks quick peace while easing pressure on Moscow. Key U.S. officials skipped the recent London talks, further highlighting tensions between Washington, Kyiv, and European allies.

Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, who has met Putin several times, is set to return to Moscow for further discussions. His proposals are said to favor Russian terms, including accepting its territorial gains and ruling out Ukrainian NATO membership. Despite disagreements, a joint statement from the UK, France, and Germany after the London talks expressed support for Trump’s goal of achieving a just and lasting peace.