US President Donald Trump said Volodymyr Zelensky appeared willing to cede Crimea to Russia as part of efforts to reach a peace deal.
Trump made the comment after returning from the Vatican, where he held a brief meeting with the Ukrainian president ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral. Describing the conversation as positive, Trump said Crimea was mentioned “very briefly” during their talks.
He urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal,” suggesting that an agreement could be achieved within two weeks.
Trump also noted that Zelensky seemed “calmer” than during their last meeting at the White House in February, hinting at a possible shift in Ukraine’s stance.
Kyiv has consistently rejected the idea of giving up any territory, emphasizing that land negotiations must only occur after a ceasefire is agreed. Neither Zelensky nor Putin has publicly reacted to Trump’s remarks.
Concerns among Ukraine’s allies grew after German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned Kyiv against making sweeping concessions.
Speaking on German broadcaster ARD, Pistorius said that accepting Trump’s proposed terms would amount to a “capitulation” and insisted that Ukraine must protect its sovereignty in any peace arrangement.
READ ALSO: Trump hints at imminent Russia-Ukraine peace deal
Emerging reports indicate that the latest US plan could involve American recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, along with Russian control over other seized territories such as Luhansk.
Meanwhile, European and Ukrainian counter-proposals emphasize that discussions over territorial status should only take place once hostilities cease.
The US plan reportedly rules out Ukraine’s NATO membership and proposes a security guarantee led by the United Kingdom and France, without direct US participation. However, European leaders are pressing for more robust US commitments similar to NATO protections.
Additionally, the US proposal suggests placing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, currently occupied by Russian forces, under a joint arrangement to supply electricity to both countries. European proposals omit any concession of energy resources to Russia.
In an interview with Time magazine this week, Trump reiterated his view that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” and blamed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions for fueling the conflict.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency of a breakthrough, warning that Washington could end its involvement if talks stall.
Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, currently occupies nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
BBC News
