US President Donald Trump believes Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to concede Crimea, despite Zelenskyy’s earlier claims regarding the Black Sea peninsula seized by Russia in 2014.
The day after his engagement with Zelenskyy at the Vatican, Trump replied to journalists at a New Jersey airport on Sunday, stating, “Oh, I think so,” when asked if he thought Zelenskyy was prepared to “give up” the land. Following Trump’s accusations of stubbornness on the matter, Zelenskyy stated last week that Ukraine could not accept US acknowledgment of Russia’s takeover of Crimea. On Friday, Zelenskyy maintained that the area belonged to the Ukrainian people. He took a while to react to Trump’s most recent remarks.
The US is suggesting that Moscow keep the land it has taken, including the strategically important Crimean peninsula, according to two sets of settlement proposals released by Reuters on Friday. The US suggestion for Ukraine to give up land to Russia was described as “akin to a capitulation” by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Sunday.
He informed ARD that Kyiv understands that some territorial concessions might be included in a peace agreement. However, they won’t offer as much as what is suggested in the latest proposal from the president of America. “What was in that [Trump] recommendation could have been achieved by Ukraine itself a year ago; it equates to a surrender,” Pistorius stated. I cannot find any further benefit.
In spite of the remarks on Crimea, the US president said he “wants to do something good for his country” and “is working hard” on Sunday, expressing his renewed empathy for his Ukrainian counterpart.
Trump expressed his thoughts on the discussion with the Ukrainian president, conveying his “surprise and disappointment, very disappointed” regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which followed discussions between Trump’s peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He remarked, “I was very unhappy that missiles were passing by Russia.” According to Trump, Zelenskyy “told me that he requires more weapons, but he’s been speaking that for three years.”
Trump said, “Well, I want him to stop shooting,” in response to a question about what he wants Putin to do. Take a seat and sign the agreement. I think we’ve reached an agreement, and I want him to sign it and move on. “Are you confident in President Putin?” They asked Trump.
“I’ll update you in roughly two weeks,”
Trump stated.
When asked to describe his expectations for the next two weeks, Trump sidestepped the subject. He answered hazily, “Two weeks or less, but you know they’re losing a lot of people.” Every week, 3,4,000 individuals pass away.
Additionally, Trump claimed that the in-person meeting at the Vatican had strengthened his friendship with Zelenskyy, saying, “Look, it was never bad.” We had a little argument because I didn’t agree with what he said, and I didn’t mind that the cameras were rolling.
“Look, he’s in a difficult situation—a really difficult one. He’s up against a far more powerful force,” Trump continued. The president went on to reiterate his often-false assertion that Ukraine had received $350 billion from the US to help defend it against the Russian invasion..
US president compared the Ukraine president he met at the Vatican with the one he fronted in the Oval Office in February, stating, “I see him as more relaxed.” “I think he wants to strike a agreement and that he comprehends the problem.”
In addition, the president asserted that “a little bit” of progress had been made in trade negotiations with China, which Chinese officials have denied are happening. Trump remarked, “Obviously, they want to make a deal.” They are no longer doing business with us, you know, because of me, not because of them. In relation to the import tariff rate he set, he stated, “Because at 145%, you can’t do business.” “However, there is a possibility that something will occur.”
