Former President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue what he called a “realistic deal” with Russia that includes conceding Crimea, arguing that continued resistance is leading to needless bloodshed and suffering. Speaking at a town hall in Iowa, Trump claimed that a refusal to accept the current territorial status quo is preventing meaningful peace negotiations.
“Zelenskyy is playing a dangerous game,” Trump said. “He’s risking more lives by not facing facts. Crimea is gone — pretending otherwise just keeps the war going.”
Trump’s remarks have triggered widespread debate, particularly over the ethics and implications of conceding land taken by force. Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, remains internationally recognized as part of Ukraine despite being under Russian control for over a decade.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that any peace deal must include the return of all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and regions currently occupied in the Donbas. “We cannot sacrifice justice for the illusion of peace,” Zelenskyy said in response to Trump’s comments. “Crimea is not just land — it is people, culture, and law.”
The White House also pushed back, with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stating that no foreign power, including former presidents, has the right to dictate Ukraine’s peace terms. “Ukraine will decide its future, not Moscow, and not Mar-a-Lago,” Sullivan said.
While Trump positions himself as a peace broker, critics argue that his approach risks legitimizing aggression and weakening international norms. Nevertheless, some Americans weary of prolonged foreign conflict are resonating with Trump’s call for a swift resolution, regardless of the cost to Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
International observers warn that even entertaining a proposal that involves ceding Crimea could embolden other aggressor states to pursue similar actions. The debate over Trump’s suggestion continues to dominate headlines, drawing stark lines between those advocating for a quick end to the war and those insisting on justice and sovereignty.