Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of their meeting in Washington on Monday, claiming that Zelenskyy could end the war with Russia 'almost immediately' if he chose to. The comments were posted on Trump's Truth Social platform on Sunday evening, hours before he was due to host Zelenskyy and the leaders of Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the EU and Nato at the Oval Office.
Trump, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, also ruled out Ukraine joining Nato or reclaiming Russian-occupied Crimea. In his post, he wrote: 'President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and no going into Nato by Ukraine. Some things never change!!!'
The White House confirmed that Trump would first meet Zelenskyy at 1.15pm EDT in the Oval Office, followed by a summit with European leaders at 3pm. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Ukraine over the pace of negotiations and territorial concessions.
