President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Ukraineβs leaders of showing βzero gratitudeβ for U.S. help, while his controversial peace plan faced sharp criticism as too friendly to Russia. The comments came as U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva to revise a draft plan that many saw as favoring Moscow.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote at length about the war and his view of its causes. βThe War between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, would have NEVER HAPPENED,β he wrote. βI INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED.β
Trump also blamed what he called weak U.S. leadership under his predecessor. βPutin would never have attacked! It was only when he saw Sleepy Joe in action that he said, βNow is my chance!ββ he added, and later said Ukraineβs leaders had shown βZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS.β
The timing of the post irritated some allies. European leaders and many U.S. lawmakers had already criticized the leaked 28 point plan as effectively a Russian wish list, saying it asked too much of Kyiv while offering Moscow big gains.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio went to Geneva to discuss changes and to defend the U.S. role. βThe peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,β Rubio said, pushing back against senators who said the plan came from elsewhere.
Still, confusion and anger lingered in Congress and in capitals across Europe. Some senators said Rubio privately told them the plan had been handed to the United States by others. Critics warned that rushing a peace offer that rewards aggression could weaken deterrence and leave Ukraine less safe.
Ukrainian officials publicly welcomed talks but insisted any peace must protect the countryβs freedom and territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine will not trade land for peace and has thanked partners who back Kyiv. That message stood in contrast to Trumpβs claim about gratitude.
For now, diplomats say the draft has been revised and that work will continue. Whether the updates will satisfy Kyivβs core demands or quiet critics in Europe is still unclear. For many observers the moment feels less like a deal and more like bargaining under a spotlight.
Featured image via X screengrab
