Former US President Donald Trump stated late last night via his social media platform "Truth Social" that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the option to end the war with Russia "almost immediately." However, he added that reclaiming the Crimean peninsula or joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are not options.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy, NATO, and several European leaders at the White House tomorrow. Ahead of this meeting, Trump wrote on "Truth Social": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.

Trump further stated in his post: "The Crimea, which Obama gave away, cannot be recovered (this was 12 years ago, and without a shot being fired), and Ukraine cannot join NATO. Some things just cannot be changed!!!" Crimea, a strategically important peninsula in the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, was annexed by Russia in 2014, during the tenure of former US President Barack Obama. Russia then launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Regional Perspective

Trump's remarks signal a potential new turn in the Ukraine war, suggesting a swift resolution that might come at the expense of Ukraine's territorial integrity and its aspirations for future security alliances. This proposal could also be seen as an indirect attempt to legitimize Russian aggression, which runs counter to international law and the principles of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Analysis

These statements are particularly significant in the context of the upcoming meeting at the White House. They could put pressure on the unity within the NATO alliance and affect the United States' relationship with its European allies. Trump's stance might be a strategy to push Ukraine towards negotiations, but it could also be perceived as a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Long-term implications could include the impact on international laws and norms, as well as the repercussions on geopolitical stability.