Trump Urges Zelensky to Drop Crimea, NATO Ambitions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said ending Russia’s invasion is Russia’s responsibility ahead of critical talks with US President Donald Trump, who is pressing Ukraine to relinquish Crimea and abandon NATO membership ambitions.

The meeting in Washington follows a summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday that failed to secure a ceasefire. Trump, who shifted focus from a ceasefire to a final peace deal, claimed Zelensky could end the war “almost immediately” if he wished.

On social media, Trump wrote: “No getting back Crimea, and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change.”

Zelensky, upon arriving in Washington, stated: “Russia must end this war, which it started. Ukrainians are defending their land and independence. Together with the US and European allies, we hope to push Russia toward real peace.”

Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet privately before joining leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen. China has called for all parties to reach peace swiftly.

Russia continued attacks on Ukraine ahead of the talks, launching at least 140 drones and four ballistic missiles. A drone strike in Kharkiv destroyed an apartment block, killing at least seven, while Ukrainian shelling in Russian-occupied parts of Kherson and Donetsk killed two, according to Moscow-installed authorities.

Zelensky welcomed US security guarantees as “historic,” while Trump discussed potential collective defense measures outside NATO, which Ukraine seeks but Russia sees as a threat.

Trump’s envoy said Russia may have offered “some concessions” regarding the five Ukrainian regions it controls, with detailed discussions expected in the Washington meeting. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, and four more regions were claimed in 2022, though not fully captured.

Zelensky reiterated that he is constitutionally barred from ceding any Ukrainian territory, keeping Ukraine’s position firm ahead of the high-stakes negotiations.