US President Donald Trump has stated in an interview that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” as Ukraine faces increasing calls to make concessions to help bring the ongoing war to an end, reports Breaking News.
“Zelensky understands that,” Mr Trump said about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” reports Breaking News.
The remarks were made during a Time magazine interview on Tuesday. Mr Trump has repeatedly blamed Mr Zelensky for prolonging the conflict by refusing to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Western European leaders have instead placed the blame on Mr Putin, accusing him of stalling talks and attempting to expand Russian control while his forces maintain momentum on the battlefield.
The conflict appears to be at a critical stage as the Trump administration considers its next steps, reports Breaking News.
Senior officials in the US have warned that Washington might stop trying to mediate a resolution if no agreement is reached soon—potentially leading to a suspension of critical American military assistance to Ukraine.
Crimea, a key Black Sea peninsula in southern Ukraine, was annexed by Russia in 2014 during Barack Obama’s presidency—well before the 2022 full-scale invasion.
“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,” Mr Trump said. “But this was given by Obama. This wasn’t given by Trump,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Zelensky has consistently stated that acknowledging Russian control over Ukrainian territory is a non-negotiable issue for Kyiv.
Speaking to journalists on Friday before departing the White House for Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, Mr Trump said he had not set a deadline for peace talks.
“I just want to do it as fast as possible,” Mr Trump said. He added that negotiators were “pretty close” to reaching an agreement, reports Breaking News.
He also mentioned plans to meet with international leaders in Rome, and said a meeting with Mr Zelensky was “possible.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s attacks persist. A drone hit a residential building in south-eastern Ukraine, killing three people and injuring 10, according to officials—this occurred just one day after Mr Trump condemned a lethal Russian assault on Kyiv, reports Breaking News.
Among the casualties in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region, were a child and a 76-year-old woman, regional governor Serhii Lysak said on Telegram.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 103 Shahed drones and decoys across five regions overnight. Damage to civilian sites was reported in the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, though no injuries were noted, reports Breaking News.
While peace efforts continue, Russia struck Kyiv with a prolonged missile and drone attack on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87, marking the deadliest attack on the capital since July.
Mr Trump, in a rare criticism of Mr Putin, expressed his disapproval of the assault, reports Breaking News.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social. “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Frustration appears to be mounting for Mr Trump as his push to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine has yet to yield progress, reports Breaking News.
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