U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed {that a} cease-fire in Ukraine was very shut, however he sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his refusal to acknowledge Russia’s management of Crimea, warning that such a stance might derail ongoing efforts to barter an finish to the battle in Ukraine.
Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Zelenskyy of creating “very harmful” statements that will solely extend the battle. His remarks got here as diplomatic efforts to achieve a peace deal intensified, with downgraded talks underway in London and U.S. officers warning of a possible American withdrawal from the negotiations if progress stalls.
“This statement is very harmful to the peace negotiations with Russia,” Trump mentioned, referring to Zelenskyy’s Tuesday declaration that Ukraine won’t ever legally acknowledge the occupation of Crimea. “Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion.”
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize 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 continued.
He described Ukraine’s place as more and more precarious and warned that with out a peace settlement, the nation dangers being solely overrun. “The situation for Ukraine is dire — he can have peace or fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” Trump mentioned. “We are very close to a deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, get it done.”
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance reiterated that the United States had issued a transparent peace proposal to each Russia and Ukraine and indicated that the U.S. might “walk away” from the method if the events fail to reply. Vance additionally mentioned any settlement would contain land swaps.
“That means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own,” he mentioned throughout a go to to India. Reports point out the proposal was first raised at a gathering with European officers in Paris final week.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has known as for an “immediate, full, and unconditional cease-fire” following a brand new wave of Russian airstrikes. A drone assault within the southeastern metropolis of Marganets killed 9 folks and injured not less than 30 others, Ukrainian officers mentioned. Strikes have been additionally reported within the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Odesa areas. Russia reported one particular person wounded by shelling in its Belgorod area.
The newest spherical of diplomatic engagement included a gathering in London that was downgraded from a deliberate ministerial-level gathering to “official level” discussions. U.Okay. Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted Ukrainian officers, together with Foreign Minister Rustem Umerov and presidential aide Andriy Yermak, whereas U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg and French President Emmanuel Macron’s adviser Emmanuel Bonne have been additionally current.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned no settlement had been reached on any main points, which is why the assembly didn’t proceed on the ministerial stage.
U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is predicted to go to Moscow this week, and in response to the Financial Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a willingness to freeze the entrance line if Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea is acknowledged.
Zelenskyy, nevertheless, reiterated that Ukraine would solely enter direct talks with Russia after a cease-fire is in place. His authorities has rejected any territorial concessions, saying such strikes would violate the nation’s structure and sovereignty.
Trump, who has repeatedly promised on the marketing campaign path to safe a peace deal inside 24 hours if reelected, has thus far did not extract any significant concessions from Putin. Nevertheless, he continues to press for a deal, arguing that hundreds of lives may very well be saved every week if the battle is ended.
“I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever,” Trump mentioned. “The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the killing field, and nobody wants that.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio additionally confirmed {that a} U.S. peace plan had been offered and mentioned with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov final week. Rubio warned that the U.S. would possibly abandon the diplomatic effort if fast progress is just not achieved.
In response to the U.S. stress, a spokesperson for U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that “it has to be up to Ukraine to decide its future” and mentioned the United Kingdom “will never walk away from Ukraine.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com