Camilla Jessen
Trump says he believes Zelensky may be ready to give up Crimea to Russia as part of a peace deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be ready to give up Crimea to Russia as part of a possible peace deal, even though Kyiv has repeatedly rejected such proposals.
When asked by BBC reporters if Zelensky was willing to cede Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed in 2014, Trump replied: “I think so.”
Earlier this week, Trump accused Zelensky of blocking negotiations after the Ukrainian president rejected a reported U.S. proposal to recognize Russia’s claim to the peninsula.
On April 22, Zelensky firmly rejected the idea, saying, “There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution.”
He warned that discussing Crimea would shift negotiations into a framework that benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Under Ukraine’s constitution, sovereignty covers the country’s entire territory, which is described as “indivisible and inviolable.” Any territorial changes must be decided through a nationwide referendum approved by parliament.
Trump also expressed frustration with Russia, saying he wants Putin to stop attacks and agree to a U.S.-brokered peace deal.
Well, I want him to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal,” Trump told reporters. “We have the confines of a deal, I believe, and I want him to sign it and be done with it.
Trump’s remarks come after Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in nine months, killing 12 people and injuring 90, including six children, in a missile and drone strike.
“I was very disappointed that missiles were flying, [fired] by Russia,” Trump said.