Donald Trump Sets Out His Peace Terms for Zelensky

In a recent post on Truth Social, Donald Trump made it clear that any potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia would come with strict conditions. According to him, Ukraine would not be able to reclaim Crimea or join NATO if it wanted peace.

Trump argued that President Volodymyr Zelensky “could end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to,” suggesting Kyiv faces a choice between continuing the fight or agreeing to Russia’s terms.

Zelensky, however, gave a very different response. On social media, he emphasized that “Russia must end this war, which it itself started.” He has long insisted that any peace must be lasting and not just a temporary halt, pointing out that Russia used earlier concessions like Ukraine losing Crimea in 2014 as stepping stones for new aggression.

The two leaders are set to meet at the White House, alongside European heads of state and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. This follows Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which he described as “productive” even though no ceasefire deal was reached. Interestingly, while Trump initially threatened Russia with “severe consequences” if it refused to cooperate, he has since shifted from pushing for a ceasefire to focusing on a broader peace pact.

Relations between Trump and Zelensky have often been tense. Earlier this year, during a visit to the Oval Office, Trump openly criticized Zelensky, creating a difficult atmosphere. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to stress that it cannot give up territory in exchange for peace. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected the idea of recognizing Russian control over Crimea or the Donbas region, since doing so would go against its constitution.

Russia’s position remains equally rigid. Reports suggest Moscow is exploring deals that would see Ukraine withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, while freezing current front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. At present, Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian land.

For Kyiv, the real sticking point is security guarantees. Ukraine argues that only joining NATO and the EU can protect it from another invasion. Russia, on the other hand, insists Ukraine must remain neutral with strict military limitations. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, told CNN that Washington might offer Ukraine “Article 5-like” protections, but what that means in practice is still unclear.

Zelensky, already in Washington, expressed optimism that the talks could lead to “lasting peace.” He also reminded world leaders of the failures of past promises, like the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from the U.S., U.K., and Russia assurances that Russia later violated.

As Trump put it bluntly: “No getting back Obama-given Crimea, and no NATO for Ukraine.” Zelensky, on the other hand, voiced confidence that Ukraine will defend itself with the support of the U.S. and its allies.

Whether the White House talks produce real progress remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that the outcome could reshape not just the war, but also Europe’s future security.