Trump’s Message Ahead of White House Talks
WORLD NEWS – On the eve of pivotal negotiations at the White House, President Donald Trump made clear his expectations for Ukraine’s leadership: President Volodymyr Zelensky must agree to surrender Crimea to Russia and formally abandon Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Trump argued on social media that the war could be ended “almost immediately” if Kyiv accepts these terms, echoing demands long insisted upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump wrote, “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 post highlighted the stark pressure facing Zelensky, who arrived in Washington late Sunday accompanied by top European allies.
Zelensky’s Position and European Support
Zelensky, addressing reporters before departing Europe, reiterated his determination to secure meaningful guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting,” he said, emphasizing that any agreement must go beyond the failed security assurances of the past.
The Ukrainian president framed his country’s fight as a defense of both independence and territorial integrity, making clear that Crimea’s annexation in 2014 and Russia’s ongoing aggression could not simply be ignored. He added that the involvement of the U.S. and European partners would be critical in forcing Russia toward what he described as a “real peace.”
European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Britain’s Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, are set to join Zelensky at the White House. Their presence underscores deep concerns that Trump may be leaning toward Russia’s terms, potentially reshaping the diplomatic balance of the war.
Russia’s Parallel Demands
Meanwhile, Russia’s envoy in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, publicly stated that Moscow expects its own set of security guarantees as part of any future peace agreement. While acknowledging that Ukraine requires firm assurances, he insisted that Russia holds “equal right to expect” reliable guarantees in return. The remark signals Moscow’s broader aim to recast its confrontation with the West as a negotiation over mutual security, not merely Ukraine’s defense.
Midtown Times Analysis
The unfolding moment marks a turning point in the war. Trump’s approach, focused on delivering a comprehensive peace deal rather than a temporary ceasefire, signals a dramatic departure from previous U.S. policy, which emphasized Ukraine’s right to territorial integrity and its potential NATO membership. By pressuring Zelensky to cede Crimea and forego NATO aspirations, Trump risks fracturing Western unity at a time when Ukraine remains heavily dependent on allied support.
For Zelensky, the calculus is equally complex. Accepting Trump’s conditions could secure an immediate end to the conflict, but at the cost of legitimizing Russian territorial gains and undermining Ukraine’s long-term security. Rejecting them could alienate the United States under Trump’s leadership, jeopardizing vital aid and military assistance.
European leaders now find themselves in a critical role, attempting to mediate between Trump’s priorities and Zelensky’s survival instincts. Their challenge will be to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty without allowing the war to freeze into a settlement favorable to Moscow.
The Midtown Times observes that these negotiations may shape not only the outcome of the war but also the future of the U.S.-European alliance itself. Whether Trump’s strategy produces a stable peace or a fragile compromise will depend on how much Kyiv is prepared or pressured to concede.
By The Midtown Times Staff, adapted from CNN reporting by Kevin Liptak, Laura Sharman, Mitchell McCluskey, Saskya Vandoorne, Lauren Kent, Sophie Tanno, Caitlin Danaher, Billy Stockwell, Elise Hammond, Matt Meyer, and Michael Rios
