U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post late on 17 Aug. that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to." Trump wrote that any settlement would require Kyiv to abandon efforts to reclaim Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and to forgo NATO membership, arguing those issues sparked the conflict. "No getting back Crimea and no going into NATO by Ukraine," he added. The comments were released hours before Trump is scheduled to meet Zelensky at the White House on 18 Aug., according to several reports. Zelensky had not publicly responded to the remarks at the time of publication, leaving open how they may affect the talks on Ukraine’s security guarantees and territorial integrity.
NEW — President Trump blasts a fiery Truth Social post before his White House meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, boldly stating he can “end the war” almost “immediately.” Trump wrote on Truth Social: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost https://t.co/w7mxzZVbZw
BREAKING: President Trump issues a statement just hours before he is set to meet with Zelensky saying that Zelensky “can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to.” Trump says there is “no getting back Crimea and no going into NATO by Ukraine.” https://t.co/jxTOZpOq32
🚨BREAKING🚨 President Trump says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy can end the war with Russia. Says there’s no getting back Crimea or NATO Ukraine. https://t.co/lkxTswIffV