In a revealing interview with Time magazine, President Donald Trump suggested he would be willing to allow Russia to retain control of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, a move that marks a significant shift in U.S. policy and has already sparked controversy among allies and critics alike.
“If Crimea will stay with Russia—we have to only talk about Crimea because that’s the one that always gets mentioned. Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” Trump told Time in a cover story interview published this week.
Trump’s remarks come as his administration actively pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, following over three years of brutal warfare that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite widespread international condemnation of Russia’s actions, Trump appears to be focused on securing a deal — even if it means recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
The annexation, which occurred during former President Barack Obama’s second term, followed political unrest in Ukraine and was widely viewed by the international community as a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. The Obama administration was criticized for what some saw as a tepid response to Vladimir Putin’s aggression, a legacy Trump referenced in the interview.
“This is Obama’s war,” Trump said. “This is a war that should have never happened. I call it the war that should have never happened.”
The comments come amid tense and fragile negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has firmly rejected any deal that includes ceding territory to Russia, including Crimea. Earlier this week, he dismissed a U.S. proposal to formally recognize Crimea as Russian territory, stating such a move would undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and reward aggression.
Trump responded sharply on Truth Social, blaming Zelensky for undermining the peace process:
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion,” he wrote.
The president doubled down, warning Ukraine of the potential consequences of continued resistance:
“He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”
Despite the tension, Trump also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for a series of deadly missile strikes on Kyiv this week. The attack killed 12 people and injured over 90, drawing condemnation from the international community. Trump called the assault "not necessary" and urged Putin to stop.
“Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” he posted.
Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, interpreted the strikes as a pressure tactic by Moscow aimed at tilting negotiations in its favor. Zelensky returned early from a diplomatic trip to South Africa following the attacks.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted last week that the U.S. may abandon peace talks altogether if both sides continue to remain entrenched. "If this impasse continues, we will need to reevaluate our role in the process," Rubio said during a press briefing.
The idea of legitimizing Russia’s hold on Crimea has already drawn pushback from European allies, some of whom have long warned that any concessions could embolden further aggression by Putin.
Still, Trump appears determined to broker what he sees as an urgently needed peace deal, casting himself as a dealmaker capable of ending the war — even if that means redrawing international borders.
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