Russia and Putin · Second term · № 116
Ruled out Ukraine regaining Crimea or joining NATO, two of Putin's core demands, on the eve of hosting Zelensky
“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!!!”
- Said
- , Truth Social
- Subject
- Crimea and NATO ruled out
- Type
- Ukraine
- Topic
- Ukraine & Russia
- Era
- Second term
What happened
The day before Zelensky and seven European leaders came to the White House, he posted that there would be 'no getting back' Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, and 'NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE.' Recognition of Crimea and a bar on Ukrainian NATO membership were among the conditions Putin had set for ending the war; NATO members had agreed in 2024 that Ukraine was on an 'irreversible path' to membership. The BBC noted his claim that Crimea was taken 'without a shot being fired' was untrue: at least two Ukrainian soldiers were killed by Russian forces there in 2014. Zelensky replied that Crimea 'should not have been given up then' and that earlier concessions had served Putin as 'a springboard for a new attack.' At the August 18 meeting he said the United States would help European countries provide security guarantees but did not commit to NATO membership.