You don’t always get what you want. But some people have never been told “no” before.
And now Donald Trump blindsided Democrats with this brutal reality check.
Trump Champions Pragmatic Path to Peace
President Donald Trump is steering a bold course to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict, expressing openness to Russia retaining control of Crimea as part of a broader ceasefire agreement. In a sweeping interview with Time magazine, Trump emphasized a practical approach to resolving the war, noting Crimea’s long-standing ties to Russia.
“If Crimea will stay with Russia—we have to only talk about Crimea because that’s the one that always gets mentioned. Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” Trump said.
He added, “It’s been with them long before Trump came along. Again, this is Obama’s war. This is a war that should have never happened. I call it the war that should have never happened.”
Trump’s candid remarks, part of Time’s cover story on his first 100 days, reflect his determination to tackle global crises with clear-eyed realism. Named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year for his remarkable political resurgence and decisive electoral triumph over Kamala Harris, Trump is leveraging his mandate to push for peace where his predecessors faltered.
Obama’s Legacy Haunts Ukraine Crisis
The roots of the conflict trace back to 2014, when Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea during Barack Obama’s presidency amid Ukraine’s political turmoil. Obama’s failure to counter Russia’s move drew sharp criticism, with many arguing his dismissive stance on Moscow’s ambitions set the stage for today’s war.
Trump, seizing on this, has framed the conflict as a preventable tragedy born of Democratic missteps. His administration is now working tirelessly to broker a ceasefire, aiming to halt a war that erupted in 2022 with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump’s frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surfaced this week after Zelensky rejected a U.S. proposal acknowledging Russian control over Crimea. Responding to a Wall Street Journal report on Zelensky’s Kyiv press conference, Trump took to 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.”
He warned, “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”
Trump Urges Restraint Amid Escalating Tensions
As negotiations falter, Trump has balanced his push for peace with criticism of both sides. Following Russia’s deadly missile strikes on Kyiv, which killed twelve and injured 90, Trump called out Putin directly.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” he posted on Truth Social. Zelensky, cutting short a South Africa trip to address the attacks, suggested Russia’s aggression was a tactic to pressure U.S. negotiators.
With Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump has signaled readiness to walk away from talks if Russia and Ukraine remain entrenched.
The ongoing deadlock, coupled with Zelensky’s resistance and Putin’s escalations, underscores the complexity of the crisis. Yet Trump’s unwavering focus on a deal—rooted in a clear-eyed view of historical realities like Crimea’s status—positions him as a leader determined to deliver stability where others have failed.
