In a controversial shift from traditional U.S. foreign policy, former President Donald Trump has openly proposed that Ukraine should cede Crimea to Russia as a step toward ending the war. He has accused President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of standing in the way of peace by refusing to consider the proposal.
Trump made the remarks during an interview on a conservative news outlet, arguing that “Crimea is gone” and that Zelenskyy’s refusal to acknowledge this “reality” is costing Ukrainian lives and extending the war unnecessarily. He claimed that, had he been president, the war would have never started and that peace talks would have prioritized “realistic outcomes over symbolic victories.”
The former president’s approach starkly contrasts with the Biden administration’s position, which has maintained that any resolution must respect Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, including Crimea. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reaffirmed that “Crimea is Ukraine,” a position held by the U.S. since the 2014 annexation.
Experts on international law have warned that encouraging Ukraine to surrender territory sets a dangerous precedent and could embolden other nations to pursue land grabs without fear of long-term consequences.
Despite these concerns, Trump’s remarks have found an audience among some Americans who are wary of continued military aid to Ukraine. Recent polls show a growing divide in public opinion over how long the U.S. should remain committed to the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government remains firm. Zelenskyy reiterated in a press briefing that Ukraine would never accept a deal that involves territorial loss. “To give up Crimea is to betray the people who live there and have suffered under Russian rule,” he said.
Peace negotiations remain stalled, and Trump’s comments—though unofficial—underscore the growing geopolitical rift over how to end the war and what the future of Crimea should look like.
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