NEWS STORY : Zelenskyy Slams Trump’s Crimea Concession and Vows Ukraine Will Never Accept ‘Peace by Capitulation’
STORY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly dismissed a proposed peace plan from US President Donald Trump that would see Ukraine cede Crimea to Russia, reiterating that any such concession is unacceptable and does not constitute a genuine path to peace. The US President, hit by poor polling and economic chaos in the United States from the tariffs policy, had previously given a pledge that he could resolve the Ukrainian issue in one day, something which his representatives have since backed away from.
In a recent interview, Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to consider any concrete peace proposals but made it clear that surrendering Ukrainian territories, including Crimea and the Donbas region, is not negotiable. “Yes, we can stop this war if we give to Russia Donbas and Crimea. In my mind, our country will not be ready for such a peace plan. It is not a peace plan” he stated.
Zelenskyy emphasied that Ukraine will determine its own course of action regarding Crimea without external consultation. “We will be returning Crimea by any means, because this is our territory. We will decide on our own, without consulting with any other country in the world” he asserted. The Ukrainian leader has consistently maintained that reclaiming Crimea is essential for restoring international law and order. “It all began with Crimea, and it will end with Crimea” he declared, highlighting the peninsula’s significance in the broader context of global security. Earlier in the day, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the US approach.
Trump’s proposal, which includes recognising Russia’s control over Crimea and freezing the conflict along current frontlines, has faced criticism from Ukrainian officials and European lawmakers, who warn against appeasing Russia As diplomatic efforts continue, Zelenskyy’s unwavering stance underscores Ukraine’s commitment to its territorial integrity and the challenges facing international negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Russia is expected to welcome the US capitulation with Putin expected to make a statement in the near future.
