Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, rejected claims that he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hand over Donbas to Russia.
Alleged pressures on Donbas
According to the Financial Times, the Friday meeting in the White House was stormy and turned into a shouting match in which Trump reportedly warned Zelensky that Ukraine would be destroyed if it did not agree to Russia’s terms. The FT alleged that Trump demanded that Zelensky hand over the entire Donbas to Putin. A local newspaper quoted Trump saying the Ukrainian leader “must make a deal or he will be destroyed.” The FT said Zelensky ultimately convinced Trump to support “freezing” the front line.
Trump Denies
On Air Force One, Trump was asked by the FT about urging Zelensky to give Donbas to Russia. He replied that no such conversation took place and that Ukraine should stay where it stands. Trump added that he believes 78% of the territory is already occupied by Russia and urged keeping the status quo. In a FOX News interview, he said Russia may want to keep some Ukrainian territory and that Putin is a terrorist.
Zelensky on Donbas
In a BBC interview, Zelensky stated he would not agree to hand over any unoccupied parts of Donbas to Russia. He reiterated that to end the war diplomatically, Ukraine must stay where it is and refuse to give Putin anything extra. He called Putin a terrorist.
