Washington, August 18, 2025 — Former and newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump made an unexpected statement, calling on Ukraine to make concessions to Russia for the sake of ending the conflict as soon as possible. In a post on his social network Truth, he suggested that Kyiv should abandon its claims to Crimea and NATO membership, calling it “the only reasonable way out.”
Trump wrote that President Zelensky could end the war immediately if he wanted, or continue fighting. But according to him, “Crimea, which Obama gave away 12 years ago without a single shot, is not coming back. And Ukraine will not be accepted into NATO — some things never change.”
These words sparked a stormy reaction both in the United States and abroad. Trump’s critics accused him of “capitulating to the Kremlin,” while his supporters argued that he was offering a pragmatic solution that could save lives.
Trump also announced a large-scale meeting with the leaders of Ukraine and Europe, scheduled for today. He noted that “never before have so many European leaders gathered at the White House at the same time,” and said it was an honor for him to host them. It remains unclear whether Zelensky himself will attend, but according to sources, the Ukrainian delegation is already in Washington. The key topic is expected to be finding a compromise acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow.
Ukraine has not yet officially commented on Trump’s words, but Zelensky has repeatedly stated in the past that territorial concessions are unacceptable. Within the European Union, opinions are divided: some countries, such as Hungary, support the idea of negotiations, while Poland and the Baltic states are opposed. Russia remains silent, though the Kremlin has repeatedly stated that “Crimea is forever.”
Experts believe that Trump, having returned to the White House, intends to drastically change the U.S. approach to the Ukrainian crisis, shifting the focus from military support to diplomacy. However, such a turn could lead to serious divisions both within the United States and within NATO.
The results of today’s talks remain to be seen — but they could become a turning point in the bloodiest war of the 21st century in Europe.
