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French President Emmanuel Macron meets with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace in Paris on December 7, 2024. — AFP
– Trump states that NATO membership and Crimea are “off the table” for Ukraine.
– Ukraine worries about increasing pressure to accept Russian territorial demands.
– No breakthrough in ceasefire discussions followed the Trump-Putin summit.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine’s ambitions to reclaim Crimea or join NATO are no longer feasible, as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Russia.
Zelensky, who strongly opposes territorial concessions, is scheduled to meet Trump on Monday in Washington, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders also participating.
This visit follows a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday, which did not produce a ceasefire agreement but saw both leaders promise to provide “robust security guarantees” to Ukraine. Zelensky was not invited to that Alaska meeting, after which Trump shifted focus to the Russian position that a ceasefire isn’t necessary before a comprehensive peace deal.
“President Zelensky of Ukraine could end this war almost immediately if he chose to, or he can keep fighting,” Trump posted on social media. “Remember how it all started — no going back to Obama’s stance on Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot fired!), and NO NATO membership for Ukraine. Some things never change!!!”
The anticipated discussion between Trump and Zelensky will likely include a one-on-one session before they are joined by several European leaders, according to the White House schedule. Attendees include von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and leaders from the UK, Finland, France, Germany, and Italy.
This marks Zelensky’s first visit to Washington since a confrontation with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in February, during which both criticized the Ukrainian leader for alleged ingratitude. Upon arrival in Washington on Sunday night, Zelensky expressed hope that all parties shared a strong desire to bring the war to a swift and safe conclusion.
Security assurances remain a key topic. Since the February dispute in the Oval Office, Trump has become more critical of Putin and has shown signs of frustration, especially as Russia has delayed peace negotiations. However, the U.S. has not increased sanctions on Moscow, and its welcoming attitude during Putin’s Alaska visit—Russia’s first since invading Ukraine in 2022—is seen by many as a diplomatic victory for Russia.
Ahead of his U.S. visit, Zelensky said he was eager to hear about Putin and Trump’s discussions in Alaska and praised Washington’s offer of security guarantees to Ukraine as “historic.” Trump indicated he discussed the potential for a NATO-style collective defense pledge for Ukraine, outside the existing Western military alliance Kyiv aspires to join—a move seen as threatening by Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that European leaders would inquire how committed the U.S. is to providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
On the land front, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff reported that Russia had made “some concessions” concerning five Ukrainian regions it controls either fully or partially, with detailed discussions about Donetsk expected on Monday.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after a disputed referendum and did the same in 2022 for the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia, even though Russian forces have not fully secured those areas. A source familiar with conversations between Trump and European leaders revealed the U.S. was inclined to support Russia’s demand for territory it has not yet captured in the Donbas, part of eastern Ukraine that has experienced the fiercest fighting, including Donetsk and Lugansk regions. In exchange, Moscow might agree to a “freeze” on the frontline in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces hold substantial territory but not the regional capitals.
Until now, Russia has insisted Ukraine must withdraw from all four regions as a precondition for any agreement. There are growing concerns in Europe that Washington might pressure Kyiv to accept Russia’s terms. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski emphasized that peace requires holding the aggressor accountable, arguing that peace through capitulation is unacceptable. Macron stated that Russia is the only country proposing a peace that amounts to surrender.
Zelensky has repeatedly rejected ceding territory but has expressed openness to discussing it at a future trilateral summit with Trump and Putin, a prospect Trump has considered but Russia appears to downplay. Russia’s forces continue to advance gradually, especially in Donetsk. Recent Ukrainian reports indicate Russian attacks have killed three people in Kharkiv and wounded dozens, with additional casualties in the Sumy region near the border.
The ongoing situation remains tense as both sides inch forward with their demands and negotiations.
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