NEW: Trump SLAMS Zelensky for derailing peace talks, says Ukraine could lose war if it keeps fighting
Trump responded to comments Zelensky made, where the Ukrainian leader said “Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea.”
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to criticize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of derailing ongoing peace negotiations with Russia and warning that if Ukraine continues to fight for another three years, it could lose the country entirely.
In his post, Trump responded to comments Zelensky made in The Wall Street Journal, where the Ukrainian leader said, “Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There’s nothing to talk about here.” Trump called the remark “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia,” asserting that Crimea “was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama” and should not be a sticking point in current discussions.
“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 wrote.
The president pointed out the long-standing presence of the Russian military in the region and accused Zelesky of making “inflammatory statements” that are hindering efforts to bring an end to the war.
“He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” Trump said.
“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 continued. “The statement made by Zelenskyy today 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.”
“I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President,” he concluded.