Zelensky claims Trump caught Ukraine off guard with push to recognize Crimea as Russian territory – Washington Examiner
Zelensky claims Trump caught Ukraine off guard with push to recognize Crimea as Russian territory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested President Donald Trump caught Ukraine off guard with his peace plan including a provision recognizing Crimea as Russian territory. The move would end an 85-year old U.S. policy to not recognize annexed territory as belonging to the aggressor.
Zelensky said the provision appeared after an “appropriate strategy” was proposed during a meeting in London, and that he believes Trump is directly responsible for the addition.
“The United States of America offered its visions. There was a meeting in London, so there was an appropriate strategy that they proposed constructively,” he told reporters. “Our team, the European team, the U.S. representatives, they did discuss it, and some bullet points emerged on paper after the U.S. proposal.”
“After the United States’s proposal, other papers appeared, and I believe that today this format, this document is on the president,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky said recognizing Russia as the owner of Crimea would go against Ukraine’s constitution.
The proposed American plan surprised Kyiv’s negotiators in London, who won’t make a deal giving up Crimea.
“We’ve accepted everything suggested by our partners, just excluding pieces that go against our constitution,” he said, referencing Crimea. “Because the fight for our independence, for our sovereignty, for our territorial integrity.”
Trump blamed Ukraine for the peace talks stalling on Wednesday, saying they could lose the “whole country.” He changed his tune on Thursday in a post supportive of Ukraine and critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,” he said on Truth Social, referring to the missile assault on Kyiv from Russia. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Zelensky said he doesn’t see any dedicated pressure on Russia from America despite Trump claiming to be putting pressure on both sides.
“I do not see any specific, particular pressure on Russia. I don’t hear of any new, dedicated sanction packages against the Russian Federation,” he said. “Maybe it’s for the time being.”
The Ukrainian leader believes it’s a “compromise” that they are even at the negotiating table with Russia.
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“We had lots of children and adults buried alive, and if Ukraine is still ready to sit at the table of negotiations after the ceasefire agreement with a terrorist who had committed everything on our land, I already see that as a compromise,” Zelensky said Thursday.
Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014.
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