The Vision of President Donald Trump

"[Volodymyr Zelenskyy derailed negotiations to end the war in Ukraine while a peace deal was] very close."

"It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s [his refusal to surrender Crimea to Russia's territorial expansion] that makes it so difficult to settle this War."

"We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it’s been harder."

U.S. President Donald Trump

 

"We conveyed our position and emphasized that an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward launching negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. 

"We expressed hope that this aligns with the vision of President Donald Trump."

Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak

 

"It’s important that each side was not just a participant but contributed meaningfully."

"The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs."

"There’s nothing to talk about here, [allowing Russia to retain Crimea after its annexation cannot be countenanced]. This is against our constitution.”

"And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace." 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

AFP

"I think it will be extraordinarily difficult, bordering on political suicide, for him [Zelenskyy] to commit to paper on things like giving up Crimea."

"Ukraine is not going to recapture Crimea anytime soon. Ukraine is unlikely to be a NATO member anytime soon."

"There might be some formulation [of a deal] that effectively kicks those into the long grass. The terms of any deal at the moment are not going to be particularly favorable to Ukraine."

Matthew Savill, director of military sciences, Royal United Services Institute, London

The meeting on Wednesday last of Ukrainian and European officials in London, faced with a fast-moving and  uncompromising U.S. proposal that Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea be recognized and the front lines be frozen as part of a peace agreement, can hardly be considered in Ukraine's favour; rather the aggressor nation that without cause invaded Ukraine and for years has been butchering its infrastructure, while moving ever closer to the territorial advantages it plans on, is being  rewarded by the U.S. administration. 

Donald Trump wants it all his way and he wants it NOW. While in essence, patting Vladimir Putin on the back for doing a good job as a major aggressor, tyrannizing Russia while clobbering Ukraine with its larger military and greater military arms, causing deaths on both sides, using tactics clearly in defiance of international norms, it is Russia who will walk away with the smug assurance that its underhanded and illegal tactics served it well, while Ukraine will be sent home to nurse its grievances, left to the wolves.

 

Apartment block in Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia after deadly Russian missile attack

 

The best that Ukraine's allies could hope for was to assure security guarantees and reconstruction programs for Ukraine in exchange for territorial concessions demanded of the world's superpower. A superpower that manipulated Ukraine to convince it to sign an agreement handing over its rare minerals to enhance the technological future of the United States in its race with China for rare earth minerals needed for communications systems, electric vehicle production and the advanced development of artificial intelligence. Ostensibly obligated to sign over its natural resources to 'pay' for the billions in military goods received from the U.S.

 

Washington is prepared to formally recognize annexed Crimea as legitimate Russian territory, and to lift sanctions under a future accord. In turn, Moscow would end hostilities in Ukraine even while it has the battlefield momentum and considerable advantages in troop strength and weaponry. Ukraine is under great strain, with the pressure piled on it by American expectations that its territorial sovereignty determination be brought to heel. Kyiv anxious not to displease Washington, yet at the same time, insistent on the dignity of its sovereign rights.

 

French, German and British negotiators have actively involved themselves in the peace talks, hoping to press Ukraine's case that any deal include security guarantees and postwar reconstruction programs. In the best possible scenario, reconstruction to be paid for out of frozen Russian assets which amount to some $300 billion. At the same time and however reluctantly, both European and Ukrainian authorities privately acknowledge that it is unlikely Kyiv could regain control of the Ukrainian territories Russia has co-opted.

"There is concern that Trump is trying to push the Ukrainians and hasn't been tough enough on Russia."

"The ultimate question now is, what does Ukraine get in exchange for giving up part of its territory?"

Mujtaba Rahman, managing director, Eurasia Group

The American proposal presented in an outline in talks last week in Paris is recognized by Ukrainians as Washington's final offer prior to a decision to leave the peace process. The sudden turnabout by the United
States through President Trump's accommodation with Russia and his cavalier treatment of Ukraine has left little room for Kyiv to manoeuvre even as Moscow cleverly manipulates the U.S. presenting itself as the true arbiter of a peace process, and Ukraine reluctant to sue for peace.

 

President Donald J Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday, Feb 28, 2025 (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"The downgrading is significant] in view of Zelenskyy's rejection of Russia's maintaining control of Crimea as part of any deal]."

"[Rubio and Witkoff's absence] suggests that Washington is increasingly disinterested in drawn-out, multilateral negotiations."

"This is not just about diplomacy fatigue. It also signals a hard pivot: The U.S. is not positioning itself as a neutral mediator."

 Bence Németh, senior lecturer, defense studies department, King’s College London