US President Donald Trump has criticized President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for statements about Crimea. In his post on the Truth Social Social Network, published on April 23, Trump called the Ukrainian leader's position a "obstacle to the peace process" and expressed confidence that such rhetoric made it impossible for the rapid completion of the war between Ukraine and Russia.
According to Trump, Zelensky's assertion that “Ukraine does not legally recognizes the occupation of Crimea” is “spilled” and only aggravate the chances of reaching agreements. In particular, he recalled that Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 without a military resistance, and stated that the Ukrainian authorities had to fight for the peninsula even then.
"No one demands that Zelensky recognize Crimea part of Russia. But if he needed Crimea - why did they not fight for him 11 years ago when he was handed over to Russia without a single shot?" Said Trump.
He also added that the presence of Russian military bases in Sevastopol before annexation made the situation on the peninsula difficult for a long time before 2014.
The American leader has stated that Ukraine is faced with a choice now: either peaceful settlement is now, or a few more years of war, which can end with the loss of sovereignty.
"You can get peace or fight for another three years before you lose the whole country," Trump wrote.
According to him, the main goal of the United States is now to stop the losses that reach thousands of lives on both sides.
"I have nothing to do with Russia, but I have a lot to do with the desire to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week that die for nothing," the US president emphasized.
Trump said the negotiations between Kiev and Moscow were in a decisive stage. According to him, peace is possible in the near future if both parties show political will and ability to compromise.
"We are very close to the agreement, but a person who has no game cards must finally do it," Trump said, hinting at Zelensky.
He also added that he would never have allowed this conflict if he had remained in 2022.
"This conflict would never have begun if I was a president. And I look forward to helping Ukraine and Russia to get out of this full and total mess," he wrote.
