Prior to the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Zelensky has the ability to end the war with Russia "if he wants to."
Trump also referred to Russia's annexation of Crimean territory in 2014 while Obama was president and again reiterated that Ukrainian participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)— which has long been opposed by Russia—is not considered.
"President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. 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!!!," he wrote on Truth Social.
In a separate post, Trump stated that it was a "big day at the White House," for European and NATO leaders would be with Zelensky, for a meeting with the US President.
"Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honour to host them," he said.
The president of the United States dismissed reports of a "significant setback" after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, when the US President couldn't negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict. Dismissing the reports as "fake news," the Republican leader indicated that the location of the summit was a "big sticking point."
"The Fake News has been saying for 3 days that I suffered a "major defeat" by allowing President Vladimir Putin of Russia to have a major Summit in the United States. Actually, he would have loved doing the meeting anywhere else but the US and the Fake News knows this. It was a major point of contention! If we had the Summit elsewhere, the Democrat run and controlled media would have said what a terrible thing THAT was," he wrote on Truth Social.
"These people are sick!" Trump added.
Trump also criticised the Democrats, claiming they "want crime" in the cities "under their control".
"They even want CRIME IN DC, and other BLUE Cities throughout our Country, but don't worry, I won't let that happen. Just like our now secure Southern Border (ZERO illegals in last 3 months!), our cities will be Secure and Safe, and DC will lead the way!" he said.
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday showcasing areas of commonality with friendship but no progress on an update for a cease fire. After a three hour meeting that ended without aides, Trump—who calls himself a master deal-maker—said, “We're not there yet, but we've made progress. There is no deal until we have a deal."
He however, called the meeting "very productive."
Trump further stated that the onus is now on Zelensky to take advantage of the Alaska summit and get a deal done to end Russia's 3-year invasion.
"Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it's up to President Zelensky," Trump said.
Read also| Alaska Summit: Putin’s Ukraine Peace Demand Turned Down by Zelenskyy
