In a fiery post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, blaming him for prolonging the deadly conflict with Russia by refusing to negotiate over the Crimean Peninsula — a region annexed by Russia in 2014.
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia… Crimea was lost years ago,” Trump posted on Wednesday.
Trump has repeatedly pointed fingers at Zelensky for the outbreak and continuation of the war, accusing him of being responsible for “millions of deaths” and prolonging what he called a “killing field.”
“He Has Nothing to Boast About” — Trump Fires Shots
Slamming Zelensky’s defiance, Trump wrote:
“If he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?”
Trump claimed Zelensky’s “inflammatory statements” were making peace harder to achieve, despite ongoing U.S. and European attempts to broker a settlement.
Zelensky Stands Firm: “It Is Our Land”
Zelensky, ahead of talks in London involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials, stood firm in rejecting any settlement that allows Russia to retain Crimea.
“There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said.
Peace or Prolonged War?
Trump warned that Ukraine faces a grim choice:
“He can have peace or fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” adding that Zelensky should “GET IT DONE.”
Trump also hinted that a deal was close, but Zelensky’s stance could derail it.
Behind the Scenes: Crimea in Negotiations
According to European officials quoted by the Associated Press, the U.S. has floated a proposal allowing Russia to retain Crimea as part of a final settlement. Several allies reportedly acknowledge that Russia is now deeply entrenched in five key Ukrainian regions: Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
As war-weary Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, the political war of words between Trump and Zelensky adds another layer of global tension to an already devastating conflict.
