US President Donald Trump has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be willing to relinquish Crimea to Russia as part of a peace agreement, despite Ukraine’s firm stance against territorial concessions. Speaking to reporters after a brief meeting with Zelensky at the Vatican following Pope Francis' funeral, Trump said, "I think so," when asked if Zelensky was ready to cede the peninsula, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt hostilities and negotiate a deal to end the war, asserting it could be finalized within two weeks. He described his Vatican meeting with Zelensky as productive, noting that Crimea was discussed briefly and that Zelensky appeared "calmer" compared to their tense White House encounter in February.
Ukraine has consistently rejected ceding territory, insisting that land issues be addressed only after a ceasefire. Neither Zelensky nor Putin has commented on Trump’s remarks.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned Ukraine against accepting a deal involving significant territorial losses, calling Trump’s reported proposal tantamount to "capitulation." Pistorius told ARD that Ukraine might need to compromise on some territory for a truce but urged against agreeing to sweeping concessions.
Trump claimed last week that key elements of a deal were nearly settled, with reports suggesting Ukraine could be pressed to surrender Crimea and other Russian-occupied areas, including Luhansk. Reuters reported seeing US proposals that include recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and control over other territories, alongside barring Ukraine from NATO membership. Instead, a UK-France-led coalition would provide security guarantees post-ceasefire, excluding the US. European and Ukrainian counter-proposals reportedly prioritize discussing occupied territories only after a ceasefire and seek robust US security commitments.
The US plan also proposes managing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to supply electricity to both nations, a point absent from counter-proposals. In a Time magazine interview, Trump reiterated his belief that "Crimea will stay with Russia" and blamed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations for sparking the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency of a peace deal, warning that the US might withdraw from talks without progress. Russia’s invasion, launched in 2022, has left Moscow controlling nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt hostilities and negotiate a deal to end the war, asserting it could be finalized within two weeks. He described his Vatican meeting with Zelensky as productive, noting that Crimea was discussed briefly and that Zelensky appeared "calmer" compared to their tense White House encounter in February.
Ukraine has consistently rejected ceding territory, insisting that land issues be addressed only after a ceasefire. Neither Zelensky nor Putin has commented on Trump’s remarks.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned Ukraine against accepting a deal involving significant territorial losses, calling Trump’s reported proposal tantamount to "capitulation." Pistorius told ARD that Ukraine might need to compromise on some territory for a truce but urged against agreeing to sweeping concessions.
Trump claimed last week that key elements of a deal were nearly settled, with reports suggesting Ukraine could be pressed to surrender Crimea and other Russian-occupied areas, including Luhansk. Reuters reported seeing US proposals that include recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and control over other territories, alongside barring Ukraine from NATO membership. Instead, a UK-France-led coalition would provide security guarantees post-ceasefire, excluding the US. European and Ukrainian counter-proposals reportedly prioritize discussing occupied territories only after a ceasefire and seek robust US security commitments.
The US plan also proposes managing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to supply electricity to both nations, a point absent from counter-proposals. In a Time magazine interview, Trump reiterated his belief that "Crimea will stay with Russia" and blamed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations for sparking the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency of a peace deal, warning that the US might withdraw from talks without progress. Russia’s invasion, launched in 2022, has left Moscow controlling nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
