WASHINGTON, April 25 — US President Donald Trump has said that the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine “will stay” with Russia, asserting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bears responsibility for the Ukraine War.
In an interview with Time magazine, Trump argued that Kyiv’s insistence on retaining Crimea and its pursuit of NATO membership were key factors behind the war.
“They’ve had their Russians. They’ve had their submarines there for long before any period that we’re talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea.”
Trump further said that “this was given by Obama. This wasn’t given by Trump,” referencing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea during Barack Obama’s presidency.
He contended that Zelensky “understands” Crimea will remain under Russian control, adding, “Everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.”
“Zelwnsky is responsible for millions of deaths,” Trump said.
The comment sharply diverges from the position of the current US administration and most Western allies, who have consistently held Russia accountable for launching the invasion.
Trump reiterated his opposition to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, asserting that the very idea was a catalyst for the war.
“I don’t think they’ll ever be able to join NATO,” he said.
“From day one, I think that’s what caused the war to start—when they started talking about joining NATO.”
Reuters on Friday cited text from a draft US proposal that would dramatically reshape Ukraine’s geopolitical landscape in pursuit of a ceasefire. According to the report, the plan includes a commitment that Ukraine would abandon NATO ambitions but could still seek membership in the European Union.
Key points in the proposal reportedly include:
De jure recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea
De facto recognition of Russian control in occupied parts of Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson.
A “permanent” ceasefire agreement
Lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014
A bilateral economic and mineral cooperation pact
Western financial aid for Ukraine’s full reconstruction