Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea or joining NATO ahead of Zelenskyy talks

US President Donald Trump has stated that Ukraine will not be able to reclaim Crimea and that NATO membership is off the table, setting clear limits on Kyiv’s negotiating position as talks in Washington loom.

In posts on his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “No getting back Obama-given Crimea … and no going into NATO by Ukraine.” He added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately, if he wants to.”

These comments come as Zelenskyy arrives in Washington accompanied by top European leaders, including heads of state from the UK, Germany, and France headed into high-stakes talks on Ukraine’s future and security arrangements.

Trump’s hardline stance follows his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where he conveyed similar positions. Reuters reports that Trump now favors peace negotiations that move directly toward a final deal without a ceasefire and acknowledges Russian control of Crimea as settled.

Despite these constraints, diplomatic efforts continue. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, revealed that Russia agreed to allow U.S. and European allies to provide “NATO-style” security guarantees to Ukraine.

However, European counterparts remain firm in their public messaging. They are united in rejecting peace terms that compel Ukraine to abandon territories or forgo membership in Western structures.

They insist that Kyiv and Europe must lead the negotiations and emphasize the need for assurances that preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty.