Ukraine’s President Zelensky Rejects US President Trump’s Peace Terms with Russia
Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has expressed his unwillingness to compromise with Russia to end the ongoing conflict. In a recent statement on social media, Trump suggested that Ukraine could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if Zelensky agreed to give up Crimea and renounce NATO membership. However, Zelensky has firmly rejected these terms.
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” Zelensky insisted. “And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace.” Zelensky’s response came just 90 minutes after Trump’s statement, emphasizing the Ukrainian leader’s commitment to defending his country.
The dispute between Ukraine and Russia centers around the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which was supported by the majority of the peninsula’s population. Ukraine has continued to claim sovereignty over the region, while Russia insists that it is part of its territory.
In his statement, Trump also emphasized the need for Ukraine to renounce its aspiration for NATO membership. However, Zelensky has refused to make concessions on this issue, stating that he is confident that Ukraine will be able to defend itself.
Zelensky’s visit to the White House comes after a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where both leaders reiterated their commitment to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. However, it appears that a resolution is still a long way off, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions.
In a statement, Putin stressed the importance of eliminating the underlying causes of the conflict to achieve a lasting peace. According to Russia, this would require Ukraine to recognize the current territorial realities, including the status of Crimea and other disputed regions.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Zelensky has expressed gratitude to Trump for inviting him to the White House and has emphasized the shared commitment to ending the war quickly and reliably. However, with both sides refusing to back down, a resolution to the conflict remains a distant prospect.
