Ukraine Settlement: Trump’s Plan Clashes with Kyiv’s Stubbornness and Moscow’s Missiles

24th April 2025

2 minutes read

Ukraine Settlement: Trump’s Plan Clashes with Kyiv’s Stubbornness and Moscow’s Missiles

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he believes an “agreement” exists with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war that has lasted for more than two years.

However, he also hinted at the difficulty of reaching a real understanding with Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said: “I believe we have an agreement with Putin and Zelensky.” But he quickly downplayed his optimism by adding, “Dealing with Zelensky is harder than dealing with Putin.”

This statement sparked a wave of questions about the nature of this supposed “agreement,” particularly since Kyiv has consistently refused any territorial concessions—foremost among them the issue of Crimea.

Kyiv Reminds Trump of His Previous Stance

Zelensky responded promptly by publishing an official statement issued by the Trump administration in 2018, in which then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo firmly rejected Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

The Ukrainian president accompanied the statement with a brief message: “Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution,” reminding both the current and former U.S. administrations that “sovereignty is not up for negotiation.”

This came after repeated statements by Trump in recent days, suggesting Washington might recognize the territories seized by Russia in Ukraine—including Crimea—as part of a peace plan discussed by members of his team with Russian officials.

Leaked Plan Acknowledging Russian Control

U.S. media reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had discussed a war-ending plan with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, which would allow Moscow to retain control over occupied Ukrainian territories—especially Crimea.

Tensions escalated further when Trump said on Thursday that Zelensky’s insistence on reclaiming Crimea “threatens to blow up any peace deal.”

Writing on his platform “Truth Social,” Trump stated: “Ukraine lost Crimea years ago; it’s not even up for discussion.”

He added, “Insisting that Crimea is Ukrainian will only prolong the war.”

Kyiv Under Fire Again

As political statements fly between Washington and Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital woke to the sound of Russian missiles at dawn on Thursday.

The death toll rose to nine, with more than 63 injured—including six children—following a Russian missile strike targeting multiple areas of the capital.

According to Ukrainian emergency teams, 42 of the wounded were transported to hospitals. Ukrainian officials described the attack as a “Russian message” accompanying any U.S.–Russia diplomatic engagement happening behind the scenes.