Crimea Will Remain With Russia, Donald Trump Says In Big Snub To Ukraine

News18

25-04-2025

Last Updated:
US President Donald Trump said that Crimea would not have been annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 had he (Trump) been in the White House at the time.
Annexation of Crimea: US President Donald Trump has said that Crimea 'will stay with Russia".
In an interview with Time Magazine to mark 100 days in office, the US President said that Crimea would not have been annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 had he (Trump) been in the White House at the time.
'It was handed to them by Barack Hussein Obama (the then US President), and not by me…" he said adding, 'Crimea, if I were president, it would not have been taken."
When asked whether he would accept Crimea being 'folded" into Russia as part of a peace settlement, Trump replied, 'Crimea will stay with Russia. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time."
Earlier, Trump had slammed Zelenskyy for his comments that Ukraine wouldn't recognise Russian control of Crimea, calling the remarks 'very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia."
'It's inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy's that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," he had posted on Truth Social.
In what seemed to be an indirect response to Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy being unwilling to recognize Russian control of Crimea, Zelenskyy vowed Kyiv would abide by its constitution. 'Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners – in particular the USA – will act in line with its strong decisions," he had said.
Zelenskyy shared a screenshot of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's 2018 Crimea Declaration which rejected Russia's occupation of the peninsula.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, hosts the Black Sea Fleet, serves as a launchpad for missile strikes, and is vital for Russia's military supply routes.
From the perspective of Ukraine, Crimea holds immense strategic and security value. It enables control over maritime activity in the Black Sea and had become an integral part of Ukraine's national identity over six decades.
After the 2014 annexation, 'Krym nash!" or 'Crimea is ours!" became a patriotic slogan across Russia.
Crimea's Role In The War In Ukraine
Crimea's annexation in 2014 marked a pivotal moment that worsened Russia's relations with the West and set the stage for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Following the annexation, conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militias, backed by Moscow, fought against Ukrainian forces. Although Russia denied involvement, investigations, including a Dutch court ruling, presented evidence of its military support to the separatists.
Since 2022, Crimea has been a key location for Russia's military operations. It has been used as a launchpad for missile strikes and a base for aircraft sorties targeting Ukrainian cities.
(With inputs from agencies)