Zelensky Rejects Trump’s Peace Terms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a peace proposal put forth by U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington. Trump had suggested that Ukraine could end the war with Russia by accepting the loss of Crimea and not joining NATO, while Zelensky emphasized that Russia must end the conflict and reiterated Ukraine’s determination to defend its territory.
During the meeting, Trump outlined a framework for a potential resolution, stating that Zelensky could end the war almost immediately if he chose to, or continue fighting. The proposal required Ukraine to relinquish Crimea and not pursue NATO membership. Zelensky, however, responded clearly, stating that Russia must end the war and that Ukraine would rely on the strength of its alliances with the United States and European nations to achieve a real peace.
Zelensky expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, asserting that the country would not give up any region that it had fought to protect, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. He also thanked Trump for the invitation to the White House and reaffirmed that both leaders shared a common goal of ending the war quickly and reliably.
The meeting took place shortly after the Alaska summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, where both leaders emphasized their commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict. Putin reiterated that achieving lasting peace required Ukraine to demilitarize, renounce NATO aspirations, and recognize the current territorial realities, including the status of Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions.
Despite the conflicting positions, both leaders expressed a shared desire to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict, although the proposed terms remain a significant point of contention. The situation continues to be a focal point for international efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict and securing a lasting peace.