President Zelensky posted a key message on X ahead of his White House talk with Donald Trump, outlining conditions for ending the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s Meeting with Donald Trump
On Monday, August 18, President Zelensky will speak with Donald Trump at the White House. Before the meeting, the Ukrainian president posted on X, thanking Trump for the invitation. “We all share a strong desire for a quick and effective end to the war,” Zelensky wrote. “And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of Donbas. Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack. Or when Ukraine received the so‑called security guarantees in 1994, which did not work. Crimea should not have been handed over, just as Ukrainians did not hand over Kyiv, Odessa or Kharkiv in 2022. Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their independence,” Zelensky emphasized. The 1994 guarantees mentioned are part of the Budapest Memorandum. Under the agreement by the US, Russia and the UK, in particular the respect for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty within its then borders was guaranteed.
Ukraine’s Frontline Successes
Zelensky also referenced the situation on the front. “Now our soldiers are achieving successes in Donbas and the Sumy region. I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively ensure its security, and our citizens will always be grateful to President Trump, to everyone in America, and to every partner and ally for their support and invaluable help. Russia must end this war that it started. I hope that together with America and our European friends we will compel Russia to true peace.”
Trump’s Conditions for Ending the War in Ukraine
In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Zelensky “could almost immediately end the war with Russia.” He suggested that among the conditions for ending the war is recognizing Crimea as part of Russia and giving up Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Analysts expect Trump will likely also urge Zelensky to cede Donbas to Russia in exchange for security guarantees.
Skepticism Toward Russian Security Guarantees
Some Ukrainians do not trust the security guarantees that Russia could potentially accept. Former diplomat Roman Bezsmertnyj believes giving Russia some Ukrainian territories would be the beginning of tragic events for all of Europe and the world, similar to how concessions to Hitler contributed to the outbreak of WWII. Bezsmertnyj says Europeans who will speak with Trump on Monday are aware. He believes that during the visit to the USA, European politicians want to convince Trump that the path to ending the war in Ukraine we’ve chosen is dangerous for the United States as well. Zelensky’s meeting will start after 19:00 Polish time. Around 21:00 leaders of the world’s largest states and EU and NATO leaders will join.
