Asger Risom
Kyiv reiterates its firm stance: “Crimea belongs to Ukraine.”
U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might be willing to relinquish Crimea to Russia as part of a ceasefire agreement, signaling a major shift that Kyiv swiftly rejected.
Speaking after a brief meeting with Zelensky at the Vatican, Trump told reporters, “Oh, I think so,” when asked if he believed Ukraine would abandon its claim to the peninsula, according to HotNews.ro.
Divisive Proposal Amid Critical Negotiations
Trump’s remarks follow a heated period of diplomatic maneuvering, with Washington pushing for an agreement to halt the fighting.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described this week as “critical” for progress, while Trump warned that the United States could withdraw from mediation efforts if talks stall.
Though details remain undisclosed, reports suggest the U.S. peace plan envisions freezing current frontlines and acknowledging Russian control over Crimea in exchange for an end to hostilities—a framework Kyiv and European allies largely oppose.
Firm Response from Ukraine
President Zelensky quickly rejected any notion of compromise regarding Crimea, emphasizing that “only the Ukrainian people” can decide the fate of Ukraine’s territories.
“Our position remains unchanged,” Zelensky declared in a press conference from Kyiv, reinforcing that Crimea remains Ukrainian under both national and international law.
The timing of Trump’s statements, following Russia’s renewed drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, further complicated the diplomatic landscape.
Despite Trump’s optimism about a potential agreement, Ukrainian and European officials continue to push for a resolution that preserves Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that Trump’s proposal resembled a “capitulation,” cautioning Kyiv against accepting unfavorable terms.