Donald Trump has piled pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the eve of high-level talks in Washington, declaring the Ukrainian president could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he chose to.
Writing on his Truth Social platform on Sunday night, the US president ruled out any prospect of Ukraine joining Nato or reclaiming Crimea as part of future negotiations with Moscow. Crimea, he said, had been lost under Barack Obama “12 years ago, without a shot being fired”.
The remarks, made hours before Trump is due to host leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the EU and Nato at the White House, are likely to alarm European diplomats concerned the president may attempt to push Kyiv into a settlement favourable to the Kremlin.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump wrote. “No getting back Obama-given Crimea … and no going into Nato by Ukraine. Some things never change!!!”
In a follow-up post, he said it would be a “great honour” to welcome so many European leaders at one time.
Statement follows Zelenskyy bruising visit
The comments come against the backdrop of Zelenskyy’s previous bruising visit to the White House in February, when both Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, berated him for what they described as ingratitude and told him: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.”
Arriving in Washington late on Sunday, Zelenskyy struck a more optimistic note, insisting that Ukraine’s unity with its allies could force Russia to peace.
“I am grateful to the president of the United States for the invitation,” he wrote on Telegram. “We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably. And I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace.”
The White House said Trump would meet Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at 1.15pm local time (1715 GMT) on Monday, followed by discussions with the European leaders in the East Room at 3pm.
