In a fresh salvo this week, U.S. President Donald Trump slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his remarks on Crimea, calling them "very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia." Trump questioned why Ukraine didn’t fight for Crimea "eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired."
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to engage in talks in any format once a ceasefire is in place, but he reaffirmed that Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea, as it contradicts the nation’s Constitution.
Trump warned such statements risk prolonging the "killing field," arguing Ukraine must choose between peace now or years of further fighting. "We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE," he wrote on Truth Social.
Recent London talks among U.S., Ukrainian and European officials were marked by high emotions, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling his trip to the negotiations. This underscored growing gaps between Washington, Kyiv and its European allies over how to end the war.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy, former National Security Advisor Keith Kellogg, said discussions with Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, showed promise. He urged all sides to "stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First."
Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet President Putin again in Moscow, aiming to restart stalled talks and push forward on a U.S. peace initiative.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
