Washington, D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred fresh controversy ahead of a high stakes White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, insisting that Kyiv could end Russia’s war “almost immediately” if it agrees to stay out of NATO and give up on reclaiming Crimea.
Speaking on his Truth Social platform Sunday night, Trump declared:
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama-given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
The comments come just hours before Zelensky arrives in Washington for what is shaping up to be one of the most critical diplomatic gatherings of the war.
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Raises Eyebrows
Trump’s remarks follow his surprise summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, where he dropped demands for a ceasefire and instead pushed for a permanent peace deal.
According to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin signaled openness to a “NATO-like” security pact for Ukraine, one that could see the U.S. and Europe guarantee Kyiv’s defense without granting it full NATO membership.
“This would offer Article 5-style protection, which is the real reason Ukraine wants NATO,” Witkoff told CNN. He also revealed Russia had made concessions on several contested regions, though Putin remains firm on holding Donetsk and Luhansk.
uropean Leaders Rush to Washington
In an unprecedented move, multiple European leaders are flying to Washington on short notice for Monday’s talks, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump boasted online:
“Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!!!”
For so many heads of state to cross the Atlantic simultaneously underscores just how high the stakes have become.
Fears of Pressure on Zelensky
Diplomatic sources suggest European officials are deeply concerned Trump may pressure Zelensky into accepting terms agreed privately with Putin—particularly since the Ukrainian leader was excluded from last Friday’s Trump–Putin meeting.
The last Oval Office encounter between Trump and Zelensky in February ended badly, with Trump accusing Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.” That clash left U.S.–Ukraine relations badly strained.
Since then, European allies have worked behind the scenes to rebuild trust, even coaching Zelensky to frame his appeals in “deal-making” language that resonates with Trump.
Ukraine Holds Its Ground
Despite the shifting diplomatic winds, Zelensky reiterated during a virtual summit with NATO leaders on Sunday that Ukraine’s constitution forbids giving up territory. He insisted any talks on contested regions must happen only at a trilateral summit between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.
“We’re still a long way off,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Sunday, dampening hopes of a quick resolution.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their advance, occupying nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory since launching their full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The Road Ahead
With Europe’s deadliest conflict in eight decades grinding on, Monday’s White House meeting could mark a pivotal moment. Will Trump push Zelensky into compromise, or will Ukraine and its allies hold firm on NATO membership and territorial sovereignty?
For now, all eyes are on Washington—where the future of Ukraine, and possibly Europe’s security order, hangs in the balance.
Stay tuned for more.
