Zelenskyy Warns Against Repeating Past Mistakes in Pursuit of Peace
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arrived in Washington for scheduled meetings with the US President and European leaders.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to a post by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram.
Ukrainian President emphasized that peace for Ukraine must be reliable and lasting, not a reflection of past mistakes with false guarantees and concessions to Russia.
“And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our east—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack,” he wrote, also mentioning the ineffective “security guarantees” given to Ukraine in 1994.
Zelenskyy reminded that Ukrainians have always defended their land and are now successful on the front lines.
“Of course, Crimea should not have been given up then, just as after 2022 Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their independence. Now our soldiers are achieving success in Donetsk and Sumy regions,” he stressed.
The President expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory and thanked the US and its partners for their support, stressing the need to force Russia to end the war it started.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social before meeting with Ukrainian President that the latter could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he wanted to.
“President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump wrote in the social media post.
“Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea...and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!,” he added.
Zelenskyy may be forced to make concessions during the meeting at the White House, as Trump's demands echo Putin's ultimatums. That is why European leaders have come to the US to strengthen Ukraine's position.
Trump also posted on Sunday night: “Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!!!”
Read more on The Gaze: Trump-Putin Gambit: Scenarios and Stakes for Ukraine