Trump Calls for Peace Deal Between Ukraine and Russia

Former US President Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and to engage in negotiations for a peace agreement. In a recent statement, Trump expressed his desire for Putin to halt military actions and sit down to finalize a deal.

During a discussion about the potential for a resolution to the conflict, Trump indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might be willing to consider relinquishing control over Crimea, a point of contention since Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014. Trump stated his belief that Zelensky could be prepared to make this concession, suggesting that the topic was briefly mentioned during their meeting in Rome.

In an interview prior to this meeting, Trump asserted that Crimea would remain under Russian control, claiming Zelensky understands this reality. This marks a significant shift in the longstanding US position, which has not recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Zelensky has firmly opposed any notion of surrendering Crimea or other territories that Russia has claimed in eastern Ukraine. Trump, however, has previously dismissed the idea of returning Crimea to Ukraine as unrealistic.

The remarks from Trump represent a notable deviation from traditional American foreign policy toward Russia, which has consistently rejected the legitimacy of Russia's claims over Crimea. The Ukrainian government has made it clear that it will not concede any territories as part of a peace agreement.

Since Russia's military aggression began in February 2022, the conflict has persisted, with Russia also asserting claims over additional regions in Ukraine. Trump characterized his interactions with Zelensky as positive, indicating that he perceives a willingness from the Ukrainian leader to negotiate.

Following the meeting with Zelensky, Trump suggested that Putin might not be sincerely invested in ending the war. He warned of potential new sanctions against Russia if the situation does not improve.

As the conflict continues, US involvement and the pursuit of a diplomatic resolution remain critical topics of discussion. The recent exchange between Trump and Zelensky, occurring amid memorial events for the late Pope Francis, underscores the ongoing urgency for peace in the region.