Trump to Zelenskyy: Abandon Nato hopes and Crimea before peace talks; Russia signals readiness to hand over 31 people even as war rages on
The talks are part of Trump's push for a peace deal with Russia to end the war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since February 2022.
Trump's remarks came days after he hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Moscow laid out conditions for halting the conflict.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Zelenskyy 'can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,' adding, 'No getting back Obama-given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE.' Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 during
Barack Obama
's presidency.
High-stakes meetings in Washington
According to the White House, Trump will meet Zelenskyy at 1:15 pm EDT (10:45 pm IST, Monday) in the Oval Office before holding a joint session with leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and Nato at 3 pm EDT (12:30 am IST, Tuesday).
European leaders are traveling to Washington to show solidarity with Ukraine and to push for firm security guarantees in any post-war settlement.
Trump's aides said on Sunday that compromises would be required from both sides, but his comments placed the burden on Kyiv to end the conflict.
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Relations between Washington and Kyiv, once extremely close, have been rocky since Trump's return to the White House in January, but Ukraine's urgent need for US weapons and intelligence has forced Zelenskyy to keep working with him.
After arriving in Washington on Sunday night, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the invitation but reiterated Ukraine's stance. 'We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably.
Russia must end this war -- the war it started. And I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace,' he said on Telegram.
Zelenskyy rejects Moscow's proposals
Kyiv has already dismissed the outline of Putin's Alaska proposals, which reportedly included Ukraine relinquishing the rest of the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces currently control about a quarter of Donetsk and rely on its towns and hills as a defensive barrier, reported Reuters.
Zelenskyy is pushing instead for an immediate ceasefire followed by detailed negotiations.
Trump initially backed a ceasefire but shifted his position after his meeting with Putin, aligning more closely with Moscow's preference to negotiate while fighting continues.
Russia steps up attacks, signals concessions
As the diplomatic maneuvering unfolded, Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city near the Russian border.
Seven people, including two children, were killed in the overnight attacks, officials said.
'They hit an ordinary apartment block… many families were living here, small children, children's playground, residential compound,' said Olena Yakusheva, a local resident. 'We lived here peacefully in our homes.'
On the battlefield, Russian troops continue to grind forward, leveraging their numerical and artillery advantages.
Putin has signaled that Moscow is prepared to fight on until its objectives are met.
At the same time, Russia has indicated limited concessions -- the RIA news agency reported on Monday that Moscow is ready to hand over 31 people to Ukraine.
Europe seeks role in talks
Concerned about being sidelined after the US-Russia talks in Alaska, European leaders held a call with Zelenskyy on Sunday to coordinate strategy. 'It's important for the Europeans to be there: (Trump) respects them, he behaves differently in their presence,' said Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker.
British and German media highlighted the stakes of Monday's meeting. The UK's Daily Mail called it 'D-Day at the White House,' while Die Welt in Germany termed it the 'moment of truth' for Trump.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said, 'It is probably not an exaggeration to say the whole world is looking to Washington.'
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