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PEACE TALKS APPEAR TO BE TEETERING on the brink of collapse as tempers flare between Russia and Ukraine and the U.S. signals it’s ready to walk away from negotiations.
President Trump erupted at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday after the Ukrainian leader drew a red line by saying he would never accept a peace deal that recognizes Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
“Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea… There’s nothing to talk about here,” Zelensky said amid reports the U.S. has offered to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea as part of a peace deal.
Trump lashed out at Zelensky over Truth Social:
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion. Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump said.
“The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the “killing field,” and nobody wants that!" he added. "We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President.”
The Hill’s Laura Kelly has the backstory on Crimea:
“Russia’s 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea occurred during a period of intense tumult in Ukraine. Mass, popular protests in Kyiv succeeded in ousting the pro-Russian Ukrainian president who had sought to turn the country away from Europe. Moscow launched an invasion in Crimea and eastern parts of Ukraine, taking advantage of the instability. The Obama administration refused to recognize Russia’s control of the territory, and in 2018, the first Trump administration reaffirmed that position, calling for Russia to end its occupation.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expanded on Trump's remarks:
“Unfortunately, President Zelenskyy has been trying to litigate this peace negotiation in the press," she said. "And that's unacceptable to the president ... enough is enough. The president is frustrated. His patience is wearing thin … unfortunately President Zelensky seems to be moving in the wrong direction.”
U.S. THREATENS TO WALK AWAY
The U.S. has sought to speed negotiations by warning it will abandon talks if the two sides don’t come to a speedy agreement.
Vice President Vance reiterated that threat Wednesday while traveling in India.
“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes, or for the United States to walk away from this process,” Vance said.
Those remarks came after peace talks in London were downgraded because Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out, leading top diplomats from other countries to also abandon talks, which will continue among lower-level staff. The State Department said Rubio’s absence was due to logistical issues.
“As we know, Secretary Rubio is a busy man,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Keith Kellogg, the retired lieutenant general serving as Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, will attend the meetings instead.
Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is headed to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
Zelensky says he hopes to meet with Trump at Pope Francis’s funeral this weekend.
Trump said last week that a minerals deal with Ukraine would be signed by Thursday, although it has been quiet on that front in recent days.
?Perspectives:
• Washington Times: Rubio ends Biden-era censorship plot.
• The Nation: Hegseth is self-destructing at light speed.
• The Free Press: Marco Rubio on Iran, deportations, China, and more.
• The Hill: Why Trump’s Iran deal might actually stick.
• Racket: A recap of Trump’s first three months.
Read more:
• Hegseth digs in as Democrats demand resignation.
• Why MAGA World is so protective of Hegseth.
• FDA announces plans to phase out petroleum-based food dyes.
• Most Republicans say Trump should not seek third term: Survey.
CATCH UP QUICK
Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, will not be seeking reelection, capping off a decades-long Senate career.
Apple and Meta were fined nearly $800 million Tuesday for breaking the European Union’s antitrust rules for digital markets.
Families of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims reached a settlement with the city of Uvalde, Texas.
NEWS THIS AFTERNOON
© Susan Walsh, Associated Press file
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