Trump
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be willing to cede Crimea to Russia as part of ongoing negotiations to establish a ceasefire. This claim has sparked significant attention, though neither Kyiv nor Moscow have provided any official response to Trump’s assertion.
In a recent meeting with reporters, Trump revealed that his discussions with Zelensky had been “positive,” and that Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, was briefly mentioned during their talks. Trump also noted that Zelensky appeared “calmer” compared to their previous encounter at the White House earlier this year, which had been marked by considerable tension.
However, Ukraine has consistently rejected any proposals that involve territorial concessions. The Ukrainian government has made it clear that any discussions surrounding its sovereignty, including the status of Crimea, would only be possible once a ceasefire is firmly in place.
This stance has been echoed by other international leaders, including German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who warned against accepting such a proposal. Pistorius cautioned that Zelensky should not agree to any plan that could be seen as “capitulation,” suggesting that it could result in significant territorial losses for Ukraine without providing any meaningful strategic advantage.
Earlier reports indicated that the US plan, which Trump alluded to, might legally recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its control over other territories in Ukraine, including the entire Luhansk region in the east.
While the final details of the proposals have not been confirmed, reports suggest that the European counterproposals are conditioned on the establishment of a ceasefire, with strong security guarantees resembling NATO’s Article 5 commitments.
In contrast, the US plan proposes the creation of a “coalition of the willing,” led by the United Kingdom and France, to provide Ukraine with security assurances without direct involvement from the United States.
The US proposal also includes a provision for taking control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian occupation, to supply electricity to both Russia and Ukraine—an aspect notably absent from European and Ukrainian plans.
In an interview with Time magazine, Trump reiterated his belief that Ukraine’s push to join NATO was a key factor in provoking the war and stated unequivocally that “Crimea will stay with Russia.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both sides to accelerate peace talks, warning that Washington could withdraw from negotiations if no substantial progress is made. He emphasized that continued resources and attention should not be dedicated to an effort that does not yield concrete results.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has left Moscow in control of nearly 20 percent of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.
Despite Trump’s recent comments, neither President Zelensky nor Russian President Vladimir Putin has made any public statements regarding his latest remarks.
