Trump asserts Zelensky is prepared to 'give up' Crimea
The Ukrainian leader has consistently stated he would never formally acknowledge the peninsula as part of Russia. US President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has recognized the necessity of acknowledging...
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The Ukrainian leader has consistently stated he would never formally acknowledge the peninsula as part of Russia.
US President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has recognized the necessity of acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory to achieve peace with Moscow.
Zelensky has consistently maintained that he would never officially recognize Moscow’s dominance over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014 following a controversial referendum after a violent, Western-backed coup in Kiev.
During a meeting with Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, Trump was questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One the following day about whether Zelensky was now ready to “give up” the peninsula.
“Oh, I think so, yeah,” Trump responded.
He noted that the tone of his recent conversation with Zelensky was significantly different from their earlier “little dispute” in February at the Oval Office.
At that time, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a heated argument in front of the cameras, resulting in the Ukrainian leader’s abbreviated visit to the White House.
“I see him [Zelensky] as calmer. I think he understands the picture. And I think he wants to make a deal. I do not know if he wanted to make a deal [before]. I think he wants to make a deal,” the president remarked.
Trump mentioned that Zelensky had informed him “that he needs more weapons, but he has been saying that for three years.” The US president acknowledged that Kiev is facing a “very tough situation” and is contending with “a much bigger force.”
He also urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal” to bring the fighting to an end.
Moscow has repeatedly indicated its readiness to initiate talks with Kiev without preconditions. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted on Monday that there have not yet been any signs from Ukraine indicating its willingness to begin negotiations.
Russian officials have stressed that any effective long-term resolution must tackle the root causes of the conflict and acknowledge the current territorial realities, including Moscow’s control over Crimea and the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has recognized the necessity of acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory to achieve peace with Moscow.
Zelensky has consistently maintained that he would never officially recognize Moscow’s dominance over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014 following a controversial referendum after a violent, Western-backed coup in Kiev.
During a meeting with Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, Trump was questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One the following day about whether Zelensky was now ready to “give up” the peninsula.
“Oh, I think so, yeah,” Trump responded.
He noted that the tone of his recent conversation with Zelensky was significantly different from their earlier “little dispute” in February at the Oval Office.
At that time, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a heated argument in front of the cameras, resulting in the Ukrainian leader’s abbreviated visit to the White House.
“I see him [Zelensky] as calmer. I think he understands the picture. And I think he wants to make a deal. I do not know if he wanted to make a deal [before]. I think he wants to make a deal,” the president remarked.
Trump mentioned that Zelensky had informed him “that he needs more weapons, but he has been saying that for three years.” The US president acknowledged that Kiev is facing a “very tough situation” and is contending with “a much bigger force.”
He also urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal” to bring the fighting to an end.
Moscow has repeatedly indicated its readiness to initiate talks with Kiev without preconditions. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted on Monday that there have not yet been any signs from Ukraine indicating its willingness to begin negotiations.
Russian officials have stressed that any effective long-term resolution must tackle the root causes of the conflict and acknowledge the current territorial realities, including Moscow’s control over Crimea and the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
