Zelenskiy notes 'emotions' and says that Ukraine would respect its constitution
24/4/2025 6:09
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskiy acknowledged on Wednesday that peace talks in London
had been marked by "emotions" and pledged that Ukraine would
abide by its constitution, an oblique reference to U.S.
criticism of his stand that Kyiv could never recognise Russian
control over the Crimea peninsula.
"Emotions have run high today. But it is good that 5
countries met to bring peace closer," Zelenskiy wrote on the X
social media platform after the talks.
"The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other
Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly
such joint work that will lead to lasting peace."
In his post, Zelenskiy said Ukraine "will always act in
accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that
our partners, in particular the USA, will act in line with its
strong decisions".
He appended a copy of a 2018 statement by then-U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - during Trump's first term as
president - calling on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea
and uphold the principle of not changing borders by force.
Russia seized Crimea in 2014 after a popular uprising in
Kyiv prompted Ukraine's Russia-friendly president of the time to
flee the country. Russia then held a referendum in the
peninsula, denounced by Western countries, and annexed the
territory.
Zelenskiy on Tuesday reiterated that Ukraine will not
recognise Russia's annexation of Crimea, saying: "There’s
nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution."
Trump, who argued with Zelenskiy during a Washington meeting
in February, derided the Ukrainian president's statement as
inflammatory and said it made a peace deal harder to achieve.
Trump said Crimea was lost years ago "and is not even a point of
discussion."
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later said
Trump's patience with the Ukrainian president was "running very
thin" and that Zelenskiy "seems to be moving in the wrong
direction."
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