Trump urges Zelensky to surrender vast Ukrainian territories to Russia: «Let it be cut the way it is»

Volodymyr Zelensky’s most recent visit to the White House did not unfold as he had hoped.

While the Ukrainian president sought to secure an agreement for the delivery of Tomahawk missiles, the Financial Times, later echoed by The Daily Beast, reported that Trump privately told him to surrender all territory invaded by Russia or face total destruction by Moscow.

A tunnel between Russia and Alaska

At the same time, Vladimir Putin appeared to muddy the waters by reengaging with Trump and planning a new in-person meeting with the U.S. president.

«I’m not happy with this.»

-Volodymyr Zelensky

During Zelensky’s visit to the White House, Trump brought up a recent Russian proposal to build a tunnel between Russia and Alaska, an idea put forward by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Trump called it «an interesting one» and said he «would have to think about it».

When asked by Donald Trump about the idea, he responded straightforwardly: «I’m not happy with this».

This strange, and likely deliberate, exchange set the tone for Zelensky’s visit, as a report from the Financial Times, echoed by The Daily Beast, indicated that the meeting turned tense behind closed doors.

All Russian-occupied territory

Trump allegedly told Zelensky in blunt terms to surrender all Russian-occupied territory or face Ukraine’s total destruction by Russia. This proposal aligns precisely with Vladimir Putin’s demands, suggesting that Trump has no intention of supporting any Ukrainian gains in response to Russia’s invasion.

«It’s cut up right now.»

A few days before his White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump held a phone call with Vladimir Putin on 16 October. During the call, both sides discussed the possibility of a summit in Budapest involving Russia and the United States.

Following his visit on American soil, Zelensky expressed his wish to be included in such talks as part of a trilateral peace process, a request that, so far, has gone unanswered.

Donald Trump appeared to indirectly confirm the Financial Times report when questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One.

Trump suggested that the best way to end the war in Ukraine would be to «cut up» the country in a way that leaves most of it under Russian control, specifically referencing the Donbas region: «Leave it the way it is right now.»

«They can negotiate something later on down the line.»

Over many months

Referring to territories currently occupied by Russian forces, Trump added: «It’s cut up right now.»

Trump declared that «they can negotiate something later on down the line», but for now, Trump urged both sides of the conflict to «stop at the battle line.»

These comments by the president seem to reflect his views over many months, but not those of last month, when he abruptly reversed his stance on Ukraine. He had accused Ukraine of being responsible for the war, yet suddenly claimed that he believed Ukraine could reclaim all its territory and even «go further» into Russian lands, suggesting he might provide U.S. Tomahawk missiles to help them defend themselves.