President Trump said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he agrees to two major concessions.
Trump urged Ukraine to abandon its bid to join NATO — a long-standing Russian demand — and to accept the loss of Crimea, seized illegally by Moscow in 2014 during the Obama administration.
In a late-night TRUTH Social post, he wrote: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. 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!!!”
Trump’s remarks came a day before a high-profile White House summit, where he is set to meet with Zelensky and European leaders to discuss the next steps in the three-and-a-half-year war.
“Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honor to host them!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote in another TRUTH Social post earlier Sunday.
Ahead of the planned meeting, Zelensky posted to X to thank the United States for its support, but also signaled that peace must not be short-lived.
“I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably,” Zelensky wrote Sunday night.
I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2025
Zelensky also addressed Crimea, arguing that its surrender to Moscow paved the way for Putin’s full-scale invasion years later.
“And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East — part of Donbas — and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack. Or when Ukraine was given so called ‘security guarantees’ in 1994, but they didn’t work,” he tweeted.
“Crimea should not have been given up then, just as Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv after 2022. Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their independence,” he wrote.
“Now, our soldiers have successes in Donetsk and Sumy regions. I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance. Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” Zelensky said.
More over at The New York Post:
Trump says Zelensky can end war with Russia ‘almost immediately’ by doing these two things, ahead of White House meeting https://t.co/qpQfZXCquU pic.twitter.com/35yiZ2wEof
— New York Post (@nypost) August 18, 2025
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