Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’
Ahead of the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington on Monday, President Donald Trump said Ukraine should give up efforts for NATO membership and Russian-annexed Crimea.
Zelenskyy jetted off to Washington over the weekend after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to produce an immediate ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday afternoon for discussions with Trump.
Ironing out potential land swaps will be central to the meeting’s agenda. Putin and Trump have suggested that Ukraine cede land to Russia as part of a peace deal, but Zelenskyy has maintained his opposition to this.
Trump reiterated his position ahead of Monday’s meeting, saying Kyiv should relinquish efforts to regain control of its southern Crimean Peninsula, which Russian forces invaded in 2014. The peninsula has been a valuable asset to Moscow during the war.
After walking back his demand to Putin for an immediate ceasefire, Trump appeared to continue a shift in Putin’s direction by suggesting that Zelenskyy carries the burden of ending Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump said.
The U.S. has previously maintained that the responsibility of ending the conflict lies with Russia because of its 2014 and 2022 invasions of Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s shift in position on Sunday.
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump also indicated that Ukraine should give up hope of joining NATO. Putin has long opposed Ukraine’s membership in the pact and has held this demand as part of a potential peace agreement.
Still, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday that Ukraine would still be allowed security measures from NATO members, a key reason Ukraine sought membership. Witkoff reported that Putin agreed to this measure during Friday’s meeting in Alaska.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Legal analysts applaud yet are skeptical of American Bar Association’s DEI elimination
Illinois Quick Hits: Bill offering CTE alternative clears senate committee
Workers say mass Spirit Airlines layoffs violate federal law
Bill that tried to kill secret agreements with your tax dollars now faces its own silent death
After-school program orgs seek $70M in new state grants to cover gap from fed cuts
Collins, Dooley to face off in June runoff for U.S. Senate
Alabama U.S. Senate races head to June runoff
Tuberville, Jones to face off in Alabama governor’s race
SCOTUS turns down Eli Lilly bid to end ‘bounty hunter’ lawsuits
Congressional candidates discuss immigration, tax policies
Trump-endorsed Gallrein outs Massie in Kentucky
U.S. House defies Senate, weakens private equity restrictions in housing bill
