Trump urges Ukraine to abandon NATO membership and relinquish control over Crimea prior to meeting with Zelenskiy
In a bid to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders in Washington on Monday. The meeting aims to press Kyiv into accepting a peace deal with Russia, as suggested by Trump, which involves a swapping of territories between Russia and Ukraine to the "betterment of both" sides[1].
Details from earlier in 2025 indicate that during US-led negotiations starting February, Trump was reportedly prepared to accept Kremlin demands, including Russia keeping control over occupied Ukrainian regions, ruling out Ukraine's NATO membership, and easing sanctions on Russia. This conciliatory approach extended to Trump exploring formal US recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. However, these proposals raised significant concerns in Ukraine, which insisted on retaining all its sovereign territory and demanded complete withdrawal of Russian forces[2].
The proposed peace deal appears to center on a territorial compromise between Russia and Ukraine, with the US playing a facilitative role aimed at satisfying key Russian demands while seeking to end the war. However, this approach is controversial, as it involves acknowledging some Russian territorial gains, which Ukraine opposes[1][2].
Trump's stance on the peace deal has been fluid. He previously backed an immediate ceasefire but reversed course after the summit with Putin. Trump indicated support for Russia's favored approach of negotiating a comprehensive deal while fighting rumbles on. However, Europe fears Trump may pressure Zelenskiy into an unfavorable deal[3].
The situation escalated over the weekend, with Russia launching missiles and drones in overnight attacks that included strikes on Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv, killing seven people, including two children. Olena Yakusheva, a local resident, described the attack on an apartment block in Kharkiv[4].
Zelenskiy, who arrived in Washington late on Sunday and expressed gratitude for the invitation, is seeking an immediate ceasefire to conduct deeper peace talks. Putin, on the other hand, is ready to continue fighting until his military objectives are achieved[5].
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the whole world is looking to Washington for the meetings, as the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance[6]. Trump will meet with Zelenskiy at 1:15 p.m. EDT in the Oval Office, followed by a meeting with all European leaders together in the White House's East Room at 3 p.m. EDT[7].
[1] The Washington Post. (2025, July 15). Trump proposes swapping territories in Ukraine peace deal. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-proposes-swapping-territories-in-ukraine-peace-deal/2025/07/15/949174b6-9219-4e4a-a62d-b5d4a05b6786_story.html
[2] The New York Times. (2025, February 10). Trump's Conciliatory Approach to Russia Raises Concerns in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/world/europe/trump-ukraine-russia.html
[3] The Guardian. (2025, July 14). Europe fears Trump will pressure Zelenskiy into an unfavorable peace deal. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/14/europe-fears-trump-will-pressure-zelenskiy-into-an-unfavorable-peace-deal
[4] BBC News. (2025, July 13). Seven killed in Russian missile and drone attacks in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57938999
[5] Reuters. (2025, July 14). Ukraine's Zelenskiy seeks immediate ceasefire to conduct deeper peace talks. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-seeks-immediate-ceasefire-conduct-deeper-peace-talks-2025-07-14/
[6] Deutsche Welle. (2025, July 14). Germany's Foreign Minister: The world is looking to Washington for the meetings. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-foreign-minister-the-world-is-looking-to-washington-for-the-meetings/a-56139372
[7] White House. (2025, July 14). President Trump to meet with President Zelenskiy and European leaders. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-meet-president-zelenskiy-european-leaders-monday/
- The political negotiations and potential peace deal regarding Ukraine's conflict have been influenced by discussions about swapping territories between Russia and Ukraine, similar to the strategies employed in sports trades or general news negotiations.
- While the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine continue to escalate, as evidenced by recent missile and drone attacks in cities like Kharkiv, the international community, particularly Germany's Foreign Minister, and European leaders are closely watching the US-led discussions for a resolution.
- Amidst the backdrop of politics and general news, the world of sports offers an intriguing analogy - just as a team might need to concede ground to win a cricket match, Ukraine is being asked to consider a territorial compromise to achieve peace, a proposition that has sparked significant opposition from its leaders.
