President Trump said Wednesday Russia will have to make “concessions” in negotiations with Ukraine — but that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “can forget” about joining NATO.
The president has hesitated to speak about what occupied land Ukraine could get back in peace negotiations with Russia, but made one admission before his first Cabinet meeting of his administration, saying he would try to get Ukraine back its land.
“We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides, but for Ukraine, we’re going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they can get as much back as possible. We want to get as much back as possible,” Trump told reporters.
Russia currently occupies Crimea and large swaths of territory in Eastern Ukraine, amounting to approximately 20% of the country.
Trump didn’t reveal what concessions he wanted both sides to take in the future peace deal, but did say Ukraine can “forget about” NATO.
“NATO, you can forget about,” Trump said. “I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”
Zelensky had been pushing for membership in the transatlantic alliance as a surefire way Ukraine could achieve lasting peace and be safe from another Russian invasion, as Article 5 in the charter calls for military intervention from its member states.
He said over the weekend he would be willing to step down from the presidency — amid Trump calling for new elections in Ukraine — if it meant his country would get NATO membership.
Trump also said the US would not provide any more security guarantees beyond the mineral deal that Zelensky is going to Washington on Friday to sign.
The current deal, according to a readout provided to the Financial Times, doesn’t have any direct security guarantees, but establishes a mineral fund between the US and Ukraine.
The fund, Trump said, will serve as “sort of automatic security” for Ukraine, since American workers will be present on Ukrainian territory once the war concludes to extract the minerals.
He did reiterate support for putting European peacekeepers in Ukraine — despite the Russian government coming out against the proposition on Tuesday.
“Peacekeeping is very easy, it’s making the deal that’s very tough,” Trump said, noting that he wants to get a deal done first.
There is no established date for a Trump meeting with Putin, but both countries have said there will have to be more delegation meetings before the two presidents would meet face-to-face.
