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Alsharq Tribune- Amira Younes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is willing to cede Crimea in exchange for the end of hostilities and the long-awaited peace, states US President Donald Trump.
The US President spoke positively about his meeting with the Ukrainian leader in the Vatican, adding that the next few days would reveal whether there had been any progress.
In response to a question about a shift in attitude after the high-profile clash between the leaders at the White House in late February, Trump said: "I see him as calmer, I think he understands the picture, I think he wants to make a deal."
At the same time, the US President urged Vladimir Putin to end the war and make a deal.
According to the White House leader, he was very disappointed by the Russian strikes on Ukraine, and he would be answering the question of his trust in Putin in roughly two weeks.
Furthermore, Trump is confident that Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea.
"We'll see what happens in the next few days. Don't talk to me about Crimea, talk to Obama and Biden about Crimea," the US President said.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 when Barack Obama, a Democrat, was President of the US.
US peace plan for ending the war
According to Western media reports, Washington has allegedly proposed a seven-point peace plan to Ukraine.
Under the plan, Ukraine would recognize Crimea and the temporarily occupied territories as Russian and would abandon its ambition to join NATO. In return, the US would lift sanctions against Russia, and Moscow would cease hostilities, shelling, and the war would be frozen.
On April 26, Zelenskyy and Trump held brief talks at a ceremony for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.
On the same day, Trump posted on social media, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war in Ukraine, is delaying time, and that secondary or banking sanctions should be imposed on Russia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that next week it will become clear whether the US is willing to continue negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine or if they will exit the negotiation process.
Additionally, Ukraine and European countries have put forward their alternative plan to end the war.
