Trump Calls on Russia to Halt Attacks, Suggests Zelenskyy May Consider Crimea Concession for Peace

President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Russia to halt its attacks on Ukraine and suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be open to ceding Crimea to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement.

Speaking to reporters before departing New Jersey, Trump expressed frustration over continued Russian missile strikes despite ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire. He emphasized his disappointment with Russia’s actions, especially following his one-on-one meeting with Zelenskyy at the Vatican on Saturday, describing their encounter as “very symbolic” and potentially “historic.”

When asked whether Zelenskyy might agree to relinquish Crimea — the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 — Trump replied, “Oh, I think so, yeah,” suggesting that the issue dates back over a decade and criticizing former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for their handling of the original crisis.

“Don’t talk to me about Crimea. Talk to Obama and Biden about Crimea,” Trump added.

US peace proposals reportedly include recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied territories, although these ideas have faced skepticism from both Ukrainian and European officials. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned that the US approach risks conceding too much land to Russia, and top Democrats in the US Congress, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressed concerns that Trump might “cave in to Putin.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that US efforts to mediate could be abandoned if significant progress is not made soon.

“It needs to happen soon,” Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press, signaling Washington’s growing impatience with the pace of negotiations.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high. Russian missile strikes have continued, with Ukrainian officials reporting nearly 70 attacks on Sunday alone. Following a deadly Russian assault on Kyiv last week that killed at least eight civilians, Trump publicly rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin, posting “Vladimir, STOP!” on social media.

Despite the difficult environment, Trump remained cautiously optimistic after meeting Zelenskyy, noting the Ukrainian leader appeared “calmer” and more focused on achieving a settlement. Still, Trump acknowledged that Zelenskyy continues to request additional weaponry for Ukraine’s defense, a demand that has persisted throughout the conflict.

The discussion around Crimea remains a contentious issue. Although some American officials have floated the idea of formalizing Russia’s claim to Crimea as part of a broader ceasefire deal, Zelenskyy has consistently rejected such proposals, maintaining that Crimea’s liberation is essential to Ukraine’s sovereignty and to restoring peace in Europe.

Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, stated that while the US remains committed to pursuing a resolution, frustrations with both sides are mounting. He added that Trump remains determined to facilitate an agreement and hinted at potential future cooperation with Ukraine on issues such as access to rare earth minerals.

Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump insisted that a deal remains within reach.

“We have the confines of a deal, I believe, and I want [Putin] to sign it and be done with it,” Trump said.

Separately, Trump also commented on unrelated issues, including expressing sadness over the reported death of Virginia Giuffre, an accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein case.

With input from Reuters, the Financial Times, FOX News, and the Kyiv Independent.