On Sunday, former President Donald Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could “nearly soon” end the war with Russia if he agrees to two key concessions.
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Zelensky can almost immediately end the war with Russia if he wishes, or he can continue fighting. Remember how it all began.”
He urged Ukraine to drop its pursuit of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership—a request long pushed by Russia—and asserted that Crimea “will not return.”
Trump’s comments came just a day before a significant summit at the White House, where he is expected to meet with Zelensky and European leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict.
“Tomorrow is a big day at the White House. I’ve never had so many European leaders at once. It’s a great honor to host them!” he added.
Before the scheduled meeting, Zelensky shared his gratitude for U.S. support on X, emphasizing the importance of lasting peace.
“I have already arrived in Washington. I’m meeting President Trump tomorrow, talking to European leaders as well. Thanks to @Potus for the invitation. We all want to see this war end quickly and reliably,” he posted on Sunday night.
Zelensky also addressed Crimea, stating that its loss to Russia set the stage for future invasions. He mentioned that just as Ukrainians refuse to give up on key cities like Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv, they won’t relinquish Crimea either.
“Now our soldiers are making progress in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. We’re committed to protecting Ukraine and appreciate the enthusiasm and support from President Trump, everyone in America, and our partners,” he continued.
Trump’s post echoed sentiments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who noted that bringing about a lasting peace would necessitate difficult compromises from both Russia and Ukraine.
“If you’re serious about stopping the fighting, both sides need to give and expect to gain something moving forward,” Rubio told CBS News.
He highlighted the challenges faced by Ukraine due to the invasion but noted that Russia feels it has an advantage on the battlefield.
Rubio didn’t delve into specifics about the territorial concessions that might be required from Ukraine.
On Sunday, Trump also reiterated views suggesting Ukraine would have to concede territory to Russia for peace to prevail.
Putin had previously requested the abandonment of the remaining quarter of Donetsk—a mineral-rich, Russian-speaking area—as part of a peace agreement discussed at a summit in Alaska on Friday.
In exchange, he offered a ceasefire in key areas like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which have posed challenges for Russian advances.
However, Zelensky stated that while Kyiv might consider a “land swap” for peace, the request to surrender the entire Donetsk region is out of the question.
“Real negotiations need to start from the current front lines,” Zelensky pointed out to reporters in Brussels on Sunday. “Those lines are the most logical basis for discussions.”
He added, “Russia continues to struggle in the Donetsk region. Putin has failed to capture it for 12 years, and Ukrainian law prohibits the abandonment of territory.”
While Russia has taken significant land, Ukraine has successfully defended vital cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, inflicting considerable losses on Moscow’s troops.
Concerns remain that if any territory is ceded, it could embolden the Kremlin and escalate future assaults on Ukraine.
