U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying the Ukrainian leader's statement on Crimea is "very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia."

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that, "Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?"

Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Kyiv is prepared to engage in talks in any format once a potential ceasefire with Russia is established, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported. But he stressed that Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea by Russia, as it contradicts the nation's Constitution.

"It's inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy's that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about," wrote Trump, adding that "The situation for Ukraine is dire – He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country."

Trump also noted that the statement made by Zelenskyy would do nothing but prolong the "killing field," and "nobody wants that!"

"We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE," he noted.

Weeks into a U.S.-initiated process, Trump's patience was "running very thin," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.

Zelenskyy acknowledged later in a post on X that the London talks among U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials were marked by high emotions but expressed hope that future joint work would lead to peace.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled his trip to attend the London talks, prompting cancellation of a broader meeting with foreign ministers from Ukraine, Britain, France and Germany and underscoring the gaps between Washington, Kyiv and its European allies over how to end the war.

Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg said on X that there were positive talks in London with Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and added: "It's time to move forward on President Trump's UKR-RU war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First."

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Putin again on Friday, a U.S. official told Reuters.

Witkoff has already met Putin three times to discuss prospects for an end to the war and will visit Moscow this week for a new round of talks, the White House said earlier.

(With input from agencies)