Trump сriticizes Zelenskyy’s Crimea stance as Ukrainian President points out at Pompeo Declaration
US President Donald Trump has attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting Russia’s annexation of Crimea on Truth Social, claiming that this position allegedly damages peace negotiations.
US President claimed Zelenskyy’s statement that Ukraine legally does not recognize the occupation of Crimea is “very harmful to the peace negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion.”
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it 11 years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Donald Trump wrote.
He further argued that even before Russia attempted to annexe the Crimean Peninsula, “major Russian submarine bases” were already located in Crimea.
“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that make it so difficult to settle this war. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire – he can have peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” Donald Trump stated.
He believes Ukraine and Russia are “very close to a deal” and that Zelenskyy, whom Trump described as the man who “has no cards to play”, must accept the proposed terms.
Earlier reports indicated that President Trump’s administration gave Ukraine a one-page document in Paris last week, presented as a “final” offer for peace – the key points of that proposal are outlined in this news.
Among other things, the US is reportedly prepared to recognize Russian control over Ukrainian Crimea and to ease sanctions against Moscow as part of a potential peace agreement.
Read also: Ukrainian parliament appeals for NATO membership as foundation for lasting peace
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded on X to Donald Trump’s criticism of his statements regarding the Ukrainian peninsula by recalling the statement made by the Secretary of State during Trump’s first administration concerning the non-recognition of the Russian annexation.
Zelenskyy recalled a meeting of representatives from Ukraine, the USA, Britain, France, and Germany in London, while adding that “there were many emotions today”.
“We are grateful to our partners. Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution, and we are absolutely confident that our partners, particularly the USA, will act according to their strong decisions,” added the Head of State.
He attached a screenshot of the Crimea Declaration to his post on X—the 2018 statement by Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State during Trump’s first administration, reaffirming the non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
