The U.S. President suggested such words would only prolong the “killing fields”.
U.S. President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday of jeopardizing peace negotiations with Russia due to his recent statements rejecting the recognition of Crimea as part of Russia. In a message posted on the Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Zelensky’s words are “very detrimental to peace negotiations,” adding that the Crimean Peninsula “was lost years ago” under Barack Obama’s administration (2009–2017) and is “not even a point of discussion.”
“No one is asking Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, but if he wanted it, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a single shot fired?” the U.S. president added.
Trump also suggested that Zelensky’s comments are “inflammatory statements” that “will only prolong the killing fields—nobody wants that!”
“He has nothing to brag about! Ukraine’s situation is desperate: they can make peace or fight for another three years before they lose the entire country,” Trump exclaimed.
These statements came after Zelensky reiterated that he will never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea as part of any agreement to end the ongoing war.
Zelensky declared, “There is nothing to talk about; it’s our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” in reference to the Crimean Peninsula, as negotiations took place on Wednesday in London between representatives of the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine.
Trump, for his part, insisted that Ukraine’s situation could be resolved more quickly if it agreed to a peace deal with Russia. The U.S. president said such a deal is “very close” and that he is willing to “help Ukraine and Russia out of this complete and total disaster.”
According to the American outlet Axios, Trump’s proposed peace plan would include U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and unofficial recognition of Moscow’s control over most of the areas it has occupied since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal reported that as part of the plan, the United States has suggested Ukraine recognize the peninsula as Russian territory, forgo future NATO membership, and accept U.S. control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russia.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated from India on Wednesday that the U.S. government’s proposal is “very explicit” and that it is time for both parties to “say ‘yes’ or for the United States to walk away from this process.”
Vance also asserted that it was a “very fair” proposal that would “freeze the territorial lines at a point close to where they are today,” with both sides having to give up some of the territory they currently control. He did not provide further details.
According to a senior European official familiar with the ongoing talks, a proposal that the United States considers “final” was initially presented last week in Paris. At the time, the proposal was described as “just ideas,” suggesting that they could be revised.
However, once these “ideas” were leaked to the press, Ukrainian officials were surprised to learn that Washington was presenting them as definitive, according to the official, who requested anonymity.
Zelensky, for his part, said Wednesday that Ukraine is willing to accept any format of negotiations that leads to a ceasefire and opens the door to a comprehensive peace process. On his social media accounts, the Ukrainian president emphasized the need for “an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire,” aligning with a proposal he said the U.S. had put forward six weeks ago.
Furthermore, Ukraine and some Western European governments have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying the proposal while his army continues trying to seize more Ukrainian territory. Western analysts argue that Moscow is in no rush to conclude peace talks, as it currently holds an advantage on the battlefield.
The conflict in Ukraine began with Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, following the deployment of Russian troops that took over the peninsula. Shortly after, Moscow-backed separatists launched an uprising in eastern Ukraine, clashing with Kyiv’s forces.
Keep Independent Journalism Alive
In a world flooded with noise, independent journalism is more vital than ever. We work hard to bring you clear, accurate, and unbiased international news — free from corporate or political influence.If you believe in the power of honest reporting, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, big or small, helps us stay independent and keep the world informed.
Support us via PayPalYour support makes a difference.
