Trump Says ‘Crimea Will Stay With Russia’ Amid Ukraine Peace Push/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump says Crimea “will stay with Russia.” Pushes Ukraine to concede territory in peace talks. Kyiv, Pavlohrad suffer deadly Russian drone strikes.
Trump Declares ‘Crimea Will Stay With Russia’ as Peace Push Stalls Quick Looks
- Trump’s Stance: In a Time magazine interview, President Trump stated Crimea “will stay with Russia,” signaling pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to end the war.
- Zelenskyy’s Red Line: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has consistently rejected any peace deal recognizing Russian control of occupied territory.
- Ongoing Violence: Russian drone strikes hit Pavlohrad, killing three, including a child, just after a deadly attack on Kyiv killed 12 and injured 87.
- Diplomatic Outreach: Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with President Putin in Moscow for the second time this month to revive stalled peace talks.
- U.S. Policy Pivot: The Trump administration is signaling it may pull back military support if negotiations fail.
- Targeted Killing Near Moscow: A senior Russian military officer was killed in a car bomb attack outside the capital, the latest in a string of high-profile assassinations.
- Papal Funeral in Rome: Trump and Zelenskyy are both expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
Trump Says ‘Crimea Will Stay With Russia’ as Kyiv Endures More Deadly Attacks
Deep Looks
By Illia Novikov | President Donald Trump openly stated in an interview this week that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” a stark declaration that adds pressure on Ukraine to accept territorial losses in the pursuit of a peace deal with Moscow. The comment, published Friday in Time magazine, comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and the war grinds into its fourth year.
“Zelenskyy understands that,” Trump said, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.”
The remark cements Trump’s view that Ukraine must cede the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, in order to end the war. Trump blamed President Obama for “losing” Crimea and downplayed Ukraine’s historical claim to the region. “The people speak largely Russian in Crimea,” Trump said, describing it as a long-held Russian naval hub.
New Attacks Add to Civilian Toll
While peace talks remain elusive, Russia has escalated attacks, including a devastating overnight drone strike on the southeastern city of Pavlohrad. Ukrainian officials reported three civilian deaths, including a child and a 76-year-old woman, and at least ten injuries.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian forces launched over 100 Shahed drones and decoys across five regions, targeting both infrastructure and residential buildings. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the destruction added to the trauma of a war that has already displaced millions.
The assault followed Thursday’s deadly barrage on Kyiv, the worst attack on the capital since July, killing at least 12 and wounding 87.
Trump Criticizes Putin — While Blaming Zelenskyy
After the Kyiv attack, Trump took to Truth Social in a rare moment of direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!” he posted. “Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
However, Trump also blamed Zelenskyy for prolonging the conflict, suggesting his refusal to give up Crimea is hindering progress. On Wednesday, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of maintaining a “killing field” by resisting negotiations.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that any recognition of Russian-occupied territory is a red line Ukraine will not cross.
Diplomatic Front: Witkoff Meets Putin
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, met with Putin in Moscow on Friday for the second time this month. The Kremlin released a brief video showing a handshake and a cordial exchange in English.
Putin was joined by top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and international cooperation envoy Kirill Dmitriev, signaling the seriousness of the talks.
Despite multiple meetings, Witkoff has yet to secure any significant breakthroughs. The Trump administration has warned it could reconsider U.S. military support if both sides fail to make progress toward a deal.
Tensions Rise: Officer Killed in Moscow Bombing
On the same day, Russia’s top investigative agency reported that a senior military officer was killed in a car bombing near Moscow. The attack mirrors a December incident that killed Gen. Igor Kirillov in a scooter bomb explosion outside his apartment.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for both assassinations, though no conclusive evidence has been made public. These targeted killings underscore the increasingly dangerous covert war being waged far from the front lines.
Continued Russian Aggression Along the Front
President Zelenskyy warned Thursday night that Russian forces were using the air attacks to mask intensified ground operations along the 620-mile front line.
“When the maximum of our forces was focused on defense against missiles and drones, the Russians went on to significantly intensify their ground attacks,” Zelenskyy posted on Telegram.
He reiterated that Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed ceasefire 44 days ago, but that Russia has continued its military campaign in defiance of international pressure.
Western leaders, including in the EU, have criticized Putin for dragging his feet in negotiations, arguing the Kremlin is using the diplomatic impasse to gain more territory while holding the battlefield momentum.
Trump and Zelenskyy to Attend Papal Funeral
Both Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to attend Pope Francis’ state funeral at the Vatican on Saturday. While it remains unclear if the two leaders will meet separately, their joint presence in Rome adds another layer of intrigue to an already tense geopolitical moment.
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