Washington/Kyiv – U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded sharp public criticisms on Wednesday over the terms of a proposed U.S.-brokered peace plan, with the future of Crimea emerging as a central point of dispute. The exchange revealed deep divisions between Washington’s political leadership and Kyiv as they navigate a potential path to ending the war.
From Kyiv, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “There’s nothing to talk about; this is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” he declared during trilateral talks in London involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian representatives.
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Zelensky later posted a message on Telegram reminding the world of the official U.S. stance during Trump’s first term, citing a 2018 declaration by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejecting Russian claims over Crimea.
The Ukrainian leader’s firm stance came in response to Trump’s remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, where the president described Zelensky’s statements as “very damaging” and “incendiary.” Trump wrote, “Crimea was lost years ago under Barack Obama. It’s not even a point of discussion.” He went further, suggesting that Ukraine’s resistance could prolong the war: “He has nothing to brag about! Ukraine’s situation is desperate: he can achieve peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the entire country.”
Trump maintained that an agreement was “very close” and expressed hope to help “Ukraine and Russia emerge from this complete and total disaster.”
Yermak: Ukraine Will Not Compromise on Sovereignty
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, reaffirmed Kyiv’s position after meeting with Trump’s envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg. “Ukraine will remain steadfast in all circumstances to its basic principles, as these are the foundation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Yermak stated.
He added that Ukraine is ready for “an immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire” as a precursor to formal negotiations, expressing hope that this would align with Trump’s vision for ending the conflict.
Leaked Details of Trump’s Peace Proposal Raise Alarm in Kyiv
According to reports by Axios and The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s peace plan could include official U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and de facto acceptance of Russia’s control over much of the territory seized since the 2022 invasion. Other elements reportedly include a demand that Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO and cede control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to international authorities under U.S. oversight.
The proposed concessions have sparked alarm in Kyiv, where any recognition of Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian land is widely seen as unacceptable.
JD Vance Issues Warning from India
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking from India on Wednesday, confirmed that the administration’s peace proposal is “very explicit” and issued a stark warning: “The time has come for both sides to accept it, or the United States will withdraw from the process.”
With diplomatic tensions rising and battlefield conditions still fluid, the debate over how far Ukraine should go in pursuit of peace—and how far the U.S. is willing to back Kyiv—continues to test the resilience of the Western alliance.
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