On Wednesday, there was another heated exchange between former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as London negotiators considered possible ways to bring an end to the raging war in Ukraine.
The latest quarrel between Trump and Zelensky revolved around Crimea. Trump maintained that the area had to be accepted as Russian territory, which Zelensky strongly disagreed with, affirming Ukraine's unshakeable commitment to its fundamental principles.
In the recent round of negotiations, it has been reported that the US came up with a draft in line with Moscow's stance on two key issues. The first was Kyiv's official acknowledgement of Crimea belonging to Russia, and the second was a condition that Ukraine could never be a NATO member. Both of these offers were quickly dismissed by Ukraine, which infuriated President Trump, who had already threatened to withdraw the US from negotiations because of Ukraine's obstinacy.
TRUMP CRITICIZES ZELENSKY
President Zelensky was rebuked by Donald Trump for not accepting that Crimea belongs to Russia. "Crimea was lost years ago and is not even a point of discussion," Trump stated.
Zelensky, firm in his denial, replied, "Ukraine will not accept Russia's annexation of Crimea. There's nothing to discuss here. This goes against our constitution."
This confrontation prompted Trump to scold Zelensky, asserting that the United States was attempting to stop the existing violence in Ukraine. "We are very close to a deal for peace," Trump said, blaming the Ukrainian leader for stubbornly blocking the negotiations.
Trump also expressed his frustration on social media, tweeting a biting criticism of Zelensky's position. "Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is bragging on the front page of The Wall Street Journal that, 'Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea.". There is nothing to discuss here.' This claim is exceedingly damaging to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under President Barack Hussein Obama's auspices, and is not even up for discussion," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
No one is asking Zelenskiy to accept Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he desires Crimea, why did they not fight for it eleven years ago when it was transferred to Russia without a single bullet being fired?" he went on. The Crimean Peninsula was taken over by Russia in 2014 with minimal resistance from Ukraine then, an action condemned by many but only a handful of countries acknowledged as legitimate.
JD VANCE ISSUES ULTIMATUM
In line with Trump, US Vice President JD Vance also intimated that it was time for Russia or Ukraine to accept the US peace offer or for the US to abandon the negotiations. He clarified that the plan would freeze "at some level close to where they are today" "any present red lines and static territorial boundaries" in an attempt to achieve a "long-term diplomatic settlement" for eternal peace. He stressed that to achieve an end to the violence, both sides would need to lay down their weapons and accept the conditions.
In return, Zelensky's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, assured US negotiator Steve Witkoff in London that Ukraine would not compromise on its core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE FOR MOSCOW?
Since taking office in January, Donald Trump has notably shifted the US approach to the war in Ukraine. Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, Trump is now pushing Ukraine to consider a ceasefire, even if it proves unacceptable to Kyiv. The US appears eager to strike any deal, regardless of whether it favors Russia or Ukraine.
Trump, who had vowed to "end the Russia-Ukraine war in days," is positioning himself as a world peace mediator. Meanwhile, amidst Trump's changing foreign policy and his friendship with Vladimir Putin, European countries have been rushing to come up with means of strengthening Kyiv, which now has a future that is increasingly uncertain.
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