Defense & National Security — Trump hammers Zelensky for Crimea red line in peace talks

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View Online Defense & National Security Defense & National Security The Big Story  Trump hammers Zelensky for Crimea red line in peace talks President Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the leader said Kyiv would never recognize Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula.  © Greg Nash Trump accused Zelensky of harming peace talks with Russia in a post on his site Truth Social, rejecting the Ukrainian president's red line on Crimea being excluded from negotiations with Russia. Trump said the territory claimed by Ukraine was "lost years ago" and "and is not even a point of discussion."   Trump is reportedly offering U.S. recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea as part of a peace plan, and that was separately delivered to Ukrainian and Russian officials last week.   Trump has said Ukraine and Russia have a short time to accept a deal or the U.S. would move on from its role as a peace negotiator — although it's unclear if the U.S. would end its support for Ukraine.    Zelensky said Tuesday in a press conference in Kyiv, "Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. … There's nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution."   Trump erupted on social media over the Ukrainian leader's remarks, disparaging the Ukrainian military as failing to mount a defense against Russia's invasion and annexation, blaming the Obama administration for overseeing Russia's militarization of the Crimean Peninsula, and accusing Zelensky of being an impediment to peace.    Russia's 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea occurred during a period of intense tumult in Ukraine. Mass protests in Kyiv succeeded in ousting the pro-Russian Ukrainian president who had sought to turn the country away from Europe. Moscow launched an invasion in Crimea and eastern parts of Ukraine, taking advantage of the instability.    Trump, in his Truth Social post on Wednesday, said, "Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory," but said Zelensky's "inflammatory statements … makes it so difficult to settle this war."    Trump's outburst signaled a potential new low in U.S.-Ukrainian relations, where the president has favored Russian President Vladimir Putin in negotiations by holding off pressure points and offering concessions, while increasing pressure on Kyiv.    Read the full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future: National security Democrats press Hegseth on Pentagon staff shake-up Three former service members-turned Democratic House lawmakers are demanding answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about recent staffing upheavals at the Pentagon. In a letter sent to Hegseth on Tuesday and led by former Navy intelligence officer Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), the group expressed "deep concern regarding the turmoil taking place at the Department of Defense under your leadership." Hegseth in the past …  Full Story Hegseth nods to challenges at Pentagon in Army War College speech Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday alluded to ongoing controversies that have rocked his brief tenure at the Pentagon during a speech to the Army War College. "When President Trump called me to take this job, he told me two things: The first was 'Pete, you're going to have to be tough as s—. Tough.' Boy, he was not kidding on that one," Hegseth told students and staff in Carlisle, Pa.   Full Story White House says Trump's patience 'running very thin' with Zelensky President Trump’s “patience is running very thin” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as negotiations for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine stretch on, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday. “The president’s frustrated; his patience is running very thin,” she told an impromptu gathering in the White House driveway. “He wants to do what’s …  Full Story Hegseth creates makeup studio in Pentagon Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refurbished a green room as a makeup studio in the Pentagon for high-ranking officials to prepare before on-camera appearances "Most of the changes in the Green Room were furniture modifications — a director's style chair, mirror, and a makeup light — all of which were added from existing inventories,” a Defense Department spokesperson told The Hill, confirming initial reports of the …  Full Story On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  U.S. envoy for Ukraine and Russia retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg today met with Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, on the sidelines of a London summit to discuss bringing the war in Ukraine to an end. Vice President Vance is in India today. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was at the U.S. Army War College to speak with students and faculty today. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Gabbard refers intel leaks to DOJ, blames 'deep-state criminals' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she made two criminal referrals on Wednesday related to alleged leaks in the intelligence community and said a third referral is "on its way." In a post on the social platform X, Gabbard said the third criminal referral "includes the recent illegal … Full Story On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The Stimson Center will have a virtual discussion on "Fighter Jets and Drones: Is China's Military Aid to the Myanmar Junta Making a Difference?" at 9 a.m.  The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations will host an online talk on "A Post-Assad Syria: Dilemmas, Diplomacy, and a New Strategic Vision," at 10 a.m. The Air Force Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, will speak at the Air and Space Forces Association at 10 a.m. Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies will discuss "Russia's Strategic Shift in North Africa," at 10 a.m.  George Washington University's Sigur Center for Asian Studies will hold a conversation on "The First 100 Days: Trump 2.0 and New Dynamics in U.S.-Taiwan and Cross Strait Relations," at 10:30 a.m.  What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon (CBS News) Air Force Academy's staff cuts unclear amid mass resignations; cadets assured of 'world-class' education (The Gazette) Under Hegseth, chaos prevails at the Pentagon (The New York Times) Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: DeSantis faces growing storm over Hope Florida controversy Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Casey DeSantis launched Hope Florida, a community-based initiative that is distinct from … Read more Trump signs executive order targeting college accreditation process President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to shake up the college accreditation process, a topic that rarely gets political sunlight but … Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: Trump's Iran strategy is a missed opportunity US national security strategy is on life support Who has Trump's ear on Iranian negotiations?   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Defense page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view all our topical emails here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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