Trump Puts New Conditions on Ukraine Peace Deal
Just as a potential breakthrough in the Ukraine peace process seemed possible, US President Donald Trump has publicly redrawn the terms of any potential deal. In a move that appears to put immense pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump has ruled out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea and joining NATO, two of the most critical issues at the heart of the conflict.
Contradicting His Own Negotiator
The President's remarks are particularly surprising because they directly contradict recent claims made by his own special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Following the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, Witkoff had described a "game-changing" concession from Moscow, suggesting Russia would allow the US and its allies to provide Ukraine with NATO-style security guarantees. This was seen as a major step forward.
However, President Trump has now dismissed this possibility. In a series of statements, he has made it clear that "NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE" is a non-negotiable condition. He also blamed the previous Obama administration for Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, implying that its return to Ukraine is not on the table.
Pressure Mounts on Zelenskyy
This public shift in the US position puts President Zelenskyy in an extremely difficult position as he arrives in Washington for crucial talks. Trump has suggested that the power to end the war lies entirely with the Ukrainian leader, stating he "can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to."
This creates the impression that the US is pushing for a quick resolution, possibly at the expense of Ukraine's long-term security and territorial integrity. With his own key ally seemingly siding with some of Russia's core demands, President Zelenskyy now faces the monumental task of negotiating a peace that does not come at an unacceptable price for his nation.
