President Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, accusing him of obstructing diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution with Russia. The comments came after Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would never accept Russia’s seizure of Crimea, stating that it remains sovereign Ukrainian land.
Using his Truth Social platform, Trump dismissed Zelensky’s assertion regarding Crimea, writing that the region was “lost years ago” and “is not even a point of discussion.”
According to reports, Trump has floated a plan offering U.S. recognition of Russia’s 2014 takeover of Crimea as part of a broader peace framework. That proposal was reportedly shared separately with both Moscow and Kyiv last week.
Trump has warned that Ukraine and Russia have only a limited window to agree to a deal. He indicated that if the sides do not reach a resolution soon, the United States could step back from its involvement in facilitating negotiations. However, it remains uncertain whether this would also involve curtailing American aid to Ukraine.
At a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelensky stood firm. “Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea… There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution.”
In response, Trump took to social media, leveling harsh criticism at Ukraine’s military performance, pinning blame on the Obama administration for letting Russia build its hold on Crimea, and casting Zelensky as an obstacle to peace.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 came during a moment of upheaval in Ukraine. Protests had forced out the pro-Kremlin president in Kyiv, and Moscow capitalized on the disarray by moving forces into Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
While the Obama White House refused to recognize Russia’s control of the region, Trump’s first administration echoed that stance in 2018, officially demanding that Moscow withdraw.
Yet in his latest post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory,” before condemning the Ukrainian president’s “inflammatory statements… makes it so difficult to settle this war.”
Trump’s remarks further strained relations between Washington and Kyiv, with the president appearing to lean more favorably toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has eased off pressure on Moscow while appearing to ramp up demands on Ukraine.
Back in March, the U.S. president halted weapons shipments and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine for close to two weeks. The pause followed a tense Oval Office confrontation where Zelensky clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance over whether Putin was truly seeking a diplomatic solution.
Military support from the U.S. resumed after Ukraine, acting unilaterally, agreed to a partial ceasefire proposed by Washington — a move that Russia subsequently declined.
Trump and Zelensky are scheduled to meet in person on Saturday at the funeral of Pope Francis. It will be their first face-to-face interaction since their contentious White House meeting in February.
{Matzav.com}