Trump suggests occupied Crimea “might remain with Russia” and casts doubt on Ukraine’s NATO membership

The President of the United States Donald Trump gave an interview to Time. Trump suggested Crimea “might remain with Russia” and cast doubt on Ukraine’s NATO membership

• “Crimea will remain with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everyone understands that it’s been with them for a long time.” When asked whether he would agree to a peace deal that includes handing over Crimea and the occupied territories to Russia, Trump replied, “We should only be talking about Crimea.”

• On NATO: “I think that’s what triggered the war — when talk of joining NATO began. If that topic hadn’t been raised, there would have been a much greater chance the war wouldn’t have started.”

• On whether peace is possible if Zelensky remains president: “Yes. He’s the president now, and I think we’ll make a deal.”

• On his claim he could end the Russia–Ukraine war in one day: “Well, I said that figuratively, and I said it as an exaggeration to emphasize my point.”

EMPR