American President Donald Trump once again asked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Sunday to „stop shooting” and to reach an agreement on Ukraine, AFP reports.
„I want them to stop shooting. Sit down and sign the agreement,” Trump declared on the runway of Morristown Airport in Bedminster, New Jersey, according to AFP.
He also added that he is very disappointed that the Russians "bombed those places (including Kiev, where nine people were killed in a Russian airstrike on Friday)."
Trump also launched a rare critical charge against Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday, following a devastating attack on the city of Kiev that resulted in at least 8 deaths and over 70 injuries.
"I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KIEV. Useless and at a very bad time. Vladimir, STOP!
5,000 soldiers are dying every week," Trump wrote on his network, Truth Social. "Let's make the PEACE AGREEMENT!", Trump added.
Is Zelenski Giving Up Crimea?
Additionally, Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to give up the recovery of the Crimea Peninsula occupied by Russia, in total contradiction with the statements of the Ukrainian president.
"I think he is. Crimea, that was 12 years ago," Trump said in response to the question of whether he believes Zelensky is willing to "abandon" the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Last week, the United States proposed Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, a major demand of Vladimir Putin, as part of a peace agreement.
However, the Ukrainian president once again firmly opposed such a possibility. "There is nothing to discuss. It goes against our Constitution. This is our territory," he stated.
Later, Trump seemed to back down in front of a determined Zelensky. The American president stated in a post on his social platform, Truth Social, that the United States is not forcing Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian territory.