There is a specific reason why President Zelenskyy cannot comply with Donald Trump’s suggestions to bring an immediate end to the war.
Ukraine has been in conflict with Russia since February 2022 after Vladimir Putin initiated a military invasion with the aim of annexing the nation. More than three years into the conflict, the Russian military controls only about 20 percent of Ukraine, despite Russia being significantly larger in size.
Since Donald Trump reassumed the presidency in January, he has prioritized resolving the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Earlier this year, Trump had an unproductive meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House, contrasting with a more promising meeting with Putin in Alaska last week.
Although a peace agreement has not yet been finalized, there is potential for progress following Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump today (August 18) in Washington.
Prior to his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump highlighted two actions that Ukraine could take to potentially resolve the conflict ‘almost immediately’.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated: “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!!!”
In response to Trump’s comments, Zelenskyy released a statement on Twitter.
He tweeted: “I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation.”
Zelenskyy added: “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack.
“Or when Ukraine was given so-called ‘security guarantees’ in 1994, but they didn’t work. Of course, Crimea should not have been given up then, just as Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv after 2022.”
“I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance,” Zelenskyy also wrote.
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started. And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace. Thank you!”
Despite the Ukrainian president’s stance on not ceding Crimea to Russia, he lacks the constitutional authority to do so unilaterally.
According to Ukraine’s constitution, a change in the country’s borders requires a national referendum, which must be approved by the Ukrainian parliament.
The BBC clarifies that Article 2 of the constitution asserts Ukraine’s sovereignty as extending throughout its entire territory, stating that this territory is ‘indivisible and inviolable’.
While constitutional changes are possible, they cannot be enacted while the nation is under martial law, which Zelenskyy declared on February 24, 2022. Martial law involves temporary military administration over civilians, typically implemented during national emergencies.
Zelenskyy is unlikely to lift the martial law until a peace agreement is reached.