President Trump has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for requiring constitutional approval before agreeing to any territorial concessions to Russia as part of peace negotiations.

According to The Hill, Trump expressed his disagreement "very, very severely" with Zelensky's position during remarks to reporters at the White House on Monday. The president called this "a war that should have never happened" while discussing Russia's more than three-year conflict in Ukraine.

Trump announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, with the meeting expected to address territorial swapping between the two countries. The president described this potential arrangement as being "for the betterment of both" nations, though he acknowledged it would involve "some bad stuff for both" Kyiv and Moscow.

Constitutional Requirements Create Tension

Zelensky had previously stated on Saturday that Ukraine would not reward Russia for its actions and emphasized that Ukrainians "will not give their land to an occupier."

He stressed that all international partners must understand that peace cannot come at the expense of Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian leader's insistence on constitutional approval for any land transfers has become a point of contention with the Trump administration.

Trump expressed particular frustration with Zelensky's constitutional requirements, questioning why approval was needed for territorial negotiations but not for warfare. The president argued that while Zelensky "got approval to go into war and kill everybody," he now claims to need approval for land swapping arrangements. This discrepancy has clearly irritated Trump as he pursues his diplomatic strategy to end the conflict.

Putin's Ceasefire Proposal Emerges

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Putin in Moscow, where the Russian leader reportedly presented a ceasefire proposal.

The proposal would require Ukraine to withdraw its military forces from the Donetsk region, effectively allowing it to fall under Kremlin control alongside Luhansk. This territorial arrangement aligns with Putin's longstanding demands for Ukrainian concessions in exchange for ending hostilities.

The Russian proposal represents a significant shift in territorial control that would formalize Moscow's gains in eastern Ukraine. Trump has indicated that any final agreement would involve "some land swapping" with "lines that are very uneven" requiring adjustments. The complexity of these territorial arrangements reflects the challenging nature of the ongoing negotiations.

Trilateral Meeting Plans Take Shape

Zelensky has not received an invitation to Trump's upcoming summit with Putin in Alaska, highlighting the exclusion of Ukraine from initial peace discussions.

Trump indicated that he hopes a subsequent meeting between Zelensky and Putin would follow Friday's bilateral talks. The president suggested this trilateral arrangement could occur with or without his direct participation.

Trump expressed confidence that he would quickly assess the viability of any potential deal during his meeting with Putin. He stated that "probably in the first two minutes" of the Alaska summit, he would know whether an agreement could be reached. The president emphasized his intention to eventually "put the two of them in a room" to resolve the conflict directly.

Diplomatic Strategy Faces Ukrainian Resistance

The growing tension between Trump and Zelensky reflects broader disagreements over the appropriate pathway to peace in Ukraine.

While Trump pursues territorial concessions as a pragmatic solution, Zelensky maintains that constitutional processes and Ukrainian sovereignty must be respected. This fundamental disagreement could complicate future negotiations and strain the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.

Trump's approach prioritizes rapid conflict resolution through territorial adjustments, even if it means Ukraine must surrender occupied lands. However, Zelensky's position reflects domestic political constraints and national sovereignty principles that cannot be easily dismissed. The success of Trump's diplomatic initiative will likely depend on reconciling these competing priorities.