Flashpoint Diplomacy: Trump Urges Zelenskyy To Drop Crimea & NATO Dreams—As Washington Hosts European Leaders

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of their crucial talks in Washington, arguing that the war could “end almost immediately” if Kyiv abandoned its NATO aspirations and dropped efforts to reclaim Crimea.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. No getting back Obama-given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and no going into NATO by Ukraine. Some things never change!!!”

Trump’s remarks came just hours before his scheduled Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy, which will be followed by a broader summit with European leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO. Diplomats fear Trump may push Kyiv toward concessions that could benefit Moscow.

The European delegation is expected to reaffirm its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and firmly oppose any peace plan requiring territorial compromises. Leaders will also seek clarity on what security guarantees Washington might provide Ukraine outside NATO.

Arriving in Washington late Sunday, Zelenskyy struck a message of strength and solidarity:

“I am grateful to the president of the United States for the invitation. We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably. I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace,” he posted on Telegram and X.

The White House confirmed Trump will first meet Zelenskyy privately in the Oval Office before joining European leaders in the East Room.

The talks come on the heels of Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska — a meeting widely viewed as a diplomatic win for Moscow. Trump, however, insisted it marked “big progress” on Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, stressed that any peace deal must include security guarantees for Moscow as well as Kyiv.

Ahead of the Washington summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Trump’s pursuit of peace but underscored that no agreement could be reached without Ukraine’s full participation. He also called for tougher sanctions on Russia.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, added that for the first time, Putin had signaled openness to U.S. and European protection for Ukraine under a framework outside NATO, but modeled on the alliance’s Article 5 collective defense principle.