President Donald Trump has issued an extraordinary rebuke of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, telling him he can ‘end the war with Russia.’
Trump categorically ruled out Zelenskyy’s hope to see Ukraine join NATO and indicated he has no desire to see Crimea returned to Ukrainian rule.
Trump’s unexpected stance emerges just hours before his planned meeting with Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday, marking their first encounter since their notable confrontation in February.
On Sunday night, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, ‘President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can bring the war with Russia to a near halt, if he chooses, or he can decide to continue the conflict.’
‘Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE.
‘Some things never change!!!’
Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland are showing support for the Ukrainian president, accompanying him to Washington for the eagerly awaited meeting on Monday amid concerns of a potential trap.
President Donald Trump has issued an extraordinary rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , telling him he can ‘end the war with Russia’
Concerns arise that Zelenskyy might be coerced by Trump on Monday into accepting specific terms or risk losing U.S. support. Pictured: Zelensky and Trump at the Oval Office meeting in February.
These leaders’ commitment to stand by Zelenskyy seems aimed at ensuring this meeting unfolds more smoothly than their February confrontation, where Trump sharply criticized Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
At the time, the Ukrainian leader was asked to leave the White House by top Trump advisors following the heated confrontation.
‘You are risking World War III, and your actions are quite disrespectful to a country that has supported you more than many believe it should have,’ Trump admonished Zelenskyy.
Vice President JD Vance chimed in, demanding that Zelenskyy show gratitude—asking, ‘Have you said ‘thank you’ once?’
‘The Europeans are very afraid of the Oval Office scene being repeated and so they want to support Mr. Zelenskyy to the hilt,’ said retired French General Dominique Trinquand.
‘It’s a power struggle and a position of strength that might work with Trump.’
Trump appeared unfazed by the EU leaders’ decision to join Zelenskyy to send him a message, writing on Truth Social on Sunday night: ‘Big day at the White House tomorrow.
‘Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honor to host them!!!’
He added: ‘The Fake News will say that it is a big loss for President Trump to host so many great European Leaders at our beautiful White House. Actually, it is a great honor for America!!!’
The meeting comes days after Trump met with Putin for a two-and-a-half hour discussion in Alaska about the ongoing conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, said European leaders are trying to ‘shape this fast-evolving agenda.’
The meeting comes days after Trump met with Putin for a two-and-a-half hour discussion in Alaska about the ongoing conflict.
Afterwards, Trump admitted he and Putin could not strike a deal on the crisis, but insisted: ‘We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to.
‘We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.’
After the Alaska summit, the idea of a ceasefire appears all-but-abandoned, with the narrative shifting toward Putin’s agenda of ensuring Ukraine does not join NATO or even the EU.
Diplomatic sources said that Friday’s summit paved the way for a deal in which Ukraine would be expected to surrender large swathes of the Donbas region in the east of the country, including areas currently controlled by Kyiv.
Zelenskyy earlier pushed back against Trump’s assertion — which aligned with Putin’s preference — that the two sides should negotiate a complete end to the war, rather than first securing a ceasefire.
This would allow Putin to continue his deadly strikes until a full peace deal was achieved.
Zelenskyy said a ceasefire would provide breathing room to review Putin’s demands.
‘It’s impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons,’ he said. ‘Putin does not want to stop the killing, but he must do it.’
