Trump: "Zelensky's statements on Crimea are further exacerbating the conflict"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory complicates negotiations to resolve the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump stated this on his Truth Social page.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Zelensky proudly stated, "Ukraine will never legally recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and there's nothing even to discuss here." Trump believes such harsh statements seriously damage the peace negotiation process with Russia. "After all, Kyiv lost this region under former U.S. President Barack Obama, and now it's even ridiculous to discuss this," Trump wrote.

The White House head is confident that such statements by Zelensky, instead of solving the issue, further exacerbate the situation.

"No one is demanding that Zelensky recognize Crimea as Russian. But if he needs Crimea so much, why didn't he fight for it eleven years ago, when Crimea passed to Russia without a single shot? In fact, major Russian submarine bases were located there long ago. It's precisely provocative statements by people like Zelensky that complicate diplomatic resolution of this conflict. He has nothing to be proud of," emphasized Trump.

According to him, Ukraine now has two paths — to achieve peace or continue fighting for another three years, up to the state's complete disappearance.

"I have no connections with Russia. But I am interested in saving about five thousand Ukrainian and Russian soldiers senselessly dying every week," said the U.S. president.

Trump believes Zelensky's statements on Crimea bring no result other than prolonging the bloody conflict, which no one wants.

"We are very close to a peace agreement, but the person who doesn't have the right cards to play (referring to Zelensky) finally needs to realize this. I eagerly await the opportunity to help Ukraine and Russia exit this crisis. If I were president, this conflict would never have started," Trump stated.

Speculations about the U.S. peace initiative

Previously, on April 21, the Washington Post wrote that the U.S. plans to present its proposals for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia at negotiations to be held in London.

Specifically, it was reported that the U.S. is ready to officially recognize Crimea as Russian territory. It also proposed lifting sanctions against Russia, but in exchange, Russia must completely stop hostilities, effectively freezing the conflict.

In response, Zelensky called any discussions about Crimea, Zaporizhzhia NPP, and NATO "speculations." In his opinion, a complete and unconditional ceasefire is the first and fundamental condition for beginning any meaningful negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!