The White House on Thursday (local time) said US President Donald Trump is "extremely frustrated" with Russia and Ukraine over the slow progress in ending the ongoing conflict. He is unwilling to attend “meetings just for the sake of meetings.” During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is tired of unproductive discussions and wants tangible results rather than talk, as the US continues to mediate the four-year-long war. “The president is extremely frustrated with both sides. He's done with meetings that achieve nothing. He wants action and an end to this war,” Leavitt said.

She confirmed that the Trump administration remains actively involved in peace efforts, with Trump holding talks with European leaders on Wednesday and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his team continuing direct discussions with both parties. Regarding potential US participation in upcoming weekend talks, Leavitt said the decision is still undecided. “The United States and the Trump administration are fully engaged in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. If there is a real chance of signing a peace deal, we will send a representative. Otherwise, it’s still up in the air,” she added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US is pushing Ukraine to withdraw forces from Donetsk to create a “free economic zone” in Kyiv-controlled areas, which Moscow aims to control. Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine submitted a 20-point set of counter-proposals to the US on security guarantees, noting that any territorial concessions would require a national referendum.

Zelenskyy has faced growing pressure from Washington to reach a peace deal with Russia, with reports suggesting Trump wants an agreement by Christmas. The peace plan includes a 20-point framework, along with separate documents on security guarantees and Ukraine’s reconstruction. Key disagreements remain over control of Donetsk in the Donbas region and the future governance of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under Russian control.