Get it done: Trump slams Zelenskyy for refusing to cede Crimea

UPDATED: Apr 23, 2025 23:59 IST

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to cede Crimea to Russia as part of ongoing peace negotiations. The President accused him of prolonging the war and making a potential settlement more difficult.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognise Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?"

Zelenskyy on Tuesday ruled out the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia in any deal before talks set for Wednesday in London amongst US, European and Ukrainian officials. "There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people," Zelenskyy said.

"This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. "Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognise Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?"

Trump added that "inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s" is making "it so difficult to settle this War."

"He has nothing to boast about!" Trump said. "The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country." Zelenskyy's statement "will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field,’ and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with "no cards to play" should now, finally, GET IT DONE."

US PUSH FOR A CEASEFIRE

The comments came ahead of a high-stakes meeting in London, where top diplomats from the US, Britain, France, and Ukraine were expected to discuss a peace framework that includes controversial territorial compromises. A proposal from the US, which was initially presented last week in Paris, would allow Russia to keep control of certain occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea.

Despite this, Zelenskyy and his team have maintained that no part of Ukraine will be surrendered. "We insist on an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire," Zelenskyy stated on Telegram. "We are ready for any format of negotiations that may bring a ceasefire and open the door to full peace negotiations."

Trump’s comments also come amid growing frustrations with the pace of the peace talks. US Vice President JD Vance, who has been involved in the negotiations, signalled that talks were at a "moment of truth" and warned that the US may walk away if the parties do not come to an agreement soon.

"We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say ‘yes’ or for the United States to walk away from this process," Vance said during a visit to Agra, India.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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