Trump criticizes Zelenskyy’s Crimea remarks, says statement will prolong war

US President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for ruling out legal recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea. In a post on his social platform Truth Social, Trump said Zelenskyy’s stance would only extend the war with Russia, claiming the Ukrainian leader “holds no cards” and “has nothing to boast about.”

Trump referred to Zelenskyy’s recent press conference in Kyiv, where the Ukrainian president firmly stated that Crimea is “not up for discussion,” calling its recognition as Russian territory a violation of Ukraine’s constitution. “This is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy said. His statement came amid reports that a U.S.-supported peace plan could include Crimea’s status as a negotiation point.

Trump argued that Crimea was lost in 2014 during Barack Obama’s presidency without resistance and that its current status should not be part of peace talks.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump wrote.

He warned that Zelenskyy’s position risks prolonging the conflict and preventing a potential peace deal. “The situation for Ukraine is dire — he can have peace or fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” Trump said, adding that he would have prevented the war had he still been president.