Russia’s illegal seizure of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014 was quick and bloodless, and it sent Moscow’s relations with the West into a downward spiral unseen since the Cold War.

The US president ruled out Ukraine’s joining of NATO and reclaiming Crimea as part of any peace agreement with Russia just hours before he’s due to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders for talks following his Alaskan summit with Putin on Friday.

President Trump has outlined specific parameters for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue peace with Russia, including giving up Crimea and not pursuing NATO membership, ahead of a high-stakes meeting at the White House.

Trump: “President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight."

Donald Trump said on his social media handle that Zelenskyy can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.

In a strongly worded post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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!!!”

President Donald Trump said Ukraine won't get back Crimea during negotiations with Russia to end the war, but what is Crimea and why is it so important?

Donald Trump has made it clear that Crimea is off the table in any peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a declaration that strikes at the very heart of the decade-long conflict.