Ukraine could not accept the United States' proposal to cede Crimea to Russia, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking in South Africa, the Ukrainian leader said his country cannot consider the proposal.
The Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula occupied by Russia since spring 2014, has been in forefront issues being mentioned in the peace deal.
Zelenskyy stated this a day after President Trump accused him of intransigence on the issue.
Zelenskyy was speaking alongside his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, on a trip that he then cut short after the assault on Kyiv.
Over 10 people have been confirmed dead and more than 90 injured after Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv and other cities onThursday.
Zelenskyy lamented that no one is mounting pressure on Russia now”; to bring the war to an end.
Zelenskyy said the cost of the war continuing was ultimately borne by Ukrainian civilians.
“I’m not sure whose patience is wearing thin, but I think that ultimately patience will wear thin among the Ukrainians, because it’s us that have to suffer those Russian strikes,”; Zelenskyy said.
DAILY POST reported that Trump onThursdaycriticized President Vladimir Putin over Russia's latest hit, saying: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!”;
On Crimea, Zelenskyy said, “We do everything that our partners have proposed, only what contradicts our legislation and the constitution we cannot do,”; he said during a press conference in Pretoria.
Ukraine considers Crimea an integral part of the country in its constitution.
