Trump Rules Out NATO for Ukraine, Says Crimea Talks Off the Table in Peace Push

Trump Urges Zelenskyy to Seek Peace, Rules Out NATO Membership and Crimea Reclaim for Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a peace deal in the ongoing war with Russia, asserting that Ukraine could end the conflict almost immediately if it chose to. Speaking on Truth Social, Trump also ruled out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and denied the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, a longstanding point of tension with Moscow.

“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, and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!” Trump wrote.

Trump referenced the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which followed the ousting of a pro-Russian Ukrainian president after he rejected an EU association deal. Russia annexed Crimea citing the need to protect ethnic Russians and its strategic interests. By March 21, Russia completed the legal integration of Crimea.

The US President is scheduled to host Zelenskyy along with European leaders in Washington on Monday, calling it a “big day” with unprecedented international participation. Trump has consistently pushed for a peace deal that ensures a long-term resolution, following his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

He also noted Russia’s offer to freeze most front lines if Ukraine ceded all of Donetsk—a proposal Zelenskyy rejected—and emphasized Ukraine must weigh the realities of negotiating with a major power. Trump has framed his approach as seeking a permanent settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire, stressing the urgency of decisive action.