Edith Hejberg
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately,” he wrote, suggesting the Ukrainian leader was prolonging the conflict by choice.
Donald Trump has cast serious doubt on Ukraine ever reclaiming Crimea, a key piece of territory annexed by Russia in 2014.
Just hours before high-stakes talks with European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, Trump took to his TruthSocial platform to declare that Ukraine should not expect to join NATO or recover the peninsula.
Trump Says War Could End “Almost Immediately”
In a provocative statement, Trump claimed the war between Ukraine and Russia could be resolved swiftly, if Zelensky wanted it to be.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately,” he wrote, suggesting the Ukrainian leader was prolonging the conflict by choice.
“No Going Into NATO” and “No Getting Back Crimea”
Trump’s post included pointed references to the Obama administration’s failure to stop Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
He added: “NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE,” signalling what could become a major sticking point in any future peace talks.
Zelensky Stands Firm on Territorial Integrity
In response, President Zelensky reiterated that giving up Ukrainian territory is not an option. Speaking in Brussels, he said the Ukrainian constitution prevents any land concessions.
“Crimea should not have been given up then, just as Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv after 2022,” he said on social media.
Only Putin and Zelensky Can Decide, President Insists
Zelensky emphasised that only he and Russian President Vladimir Putin should negotiate terms regarding Ukraine’s borders.
He warned against any agreement that mimicked the flawed security promises made to Ukraine in the 1990s, which he believes emboldened Russia’s aggression.
Trump-Putin Summit Sparks Backlash
Friday’s US-Russia summit in Alaska, which preceded today’s meeting, raised eyebrows across Europe.
Trump reportedly secured an agreement from Putin that would allow the US and allies to offer Ukraine security guarantees “akin to NATO protections”—but only if territorial concessions were made.
Putin Demands Donbas, Not Just Crimea
According to European officials, Putin wants Ukraine to surrender not only Crimea but also the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as the Donbas.
That demand is expected to dominate discussions in Washington, as leaders debate what compromises, if any, are acceptable.
Ukraine’s Battlefield Momentum Undermines Concessions
In a twist of timing, Ukraine reportedly dealt Russia a major blow by splitting its frontline in two shortly after the Trump-Putin summit.
The move undercuts suggestions that Ukraine is too weak to resist Russian advances and could sway leaders against pushing for land-for-peace deals.
US Envoy Hails Breakthrough in Security Talks
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy involved in the Alaska summit, called the Russian concession on NATO-style guarantees “game-changing.”
He told CNN that this was the first time Russia had agreed to let the West offer such protection without full NATO membership.
High Tensions Ahead of White House Meeting
European leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will join Zelensky and Trump at the White House for pivotal talks.
The mood is tense, especially following a previous Zelensky-Trump meeting in February that ended in a heated Oval Office row.
