Why Trump Is Pressing Zelensky to Accept a Bad Deal with Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace deal with Russia that would involve ceding territory, including Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, and abandoning NATO membership aspirations, according to multiple reports. This push, following Trump’s August 15, 2025, Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sparked alarm in Kyiv and Europe, as the proposed terms heavily favor Moscow. Analysts and European leaders see a mix of strategic, personal, and geopolitical motives behind Trump’s approach, which could reshape U.S. foreign policy and global alliances.

Nature of the Deal:

The outline of Putin’s demands, as reported by Reuters and others, includes Ukraine surrendering the rest of the Donetsk region (of which it controls a quarter), recognizing Crimea as Russian, granting official status to the Russian language, and forgoing NATO membership in exchange for vague security guarantees. Zelensky has rejected these terms, citing Ukraine’s Constitution, which prohibits territorial concessions, and insisting on direct talks with Russia that include a ceasefire Trump’s shift from initially supporting an immediate ceasefire to endorsing negotiations without one aligns with Russia’s preference for a comprehensive deal while fighting continues, placing Zelensky in a bind.

Trump’s Motivations:

1. Pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize:

Trump’s ambition to broker a high-profile peace deal is seen as a key driver. Analysts suggest he views ending the Ukraine-Russia war, now in its fourth year with over 1.4 million casualties, as a path to global acclaim. His warm reception of Putin in Alaska, including a B-2 bomber fly-by (although that was probably more to intimidate Putin than anything else) and a ride in “The Beast,” contrasts sharply with his earlier berating of Zelensky, signaling a tilt toward Moscow to secure a quick resolution.

2. Realpolitik and Great Power Vision:

Trump and Putin share a belief that major powers, U.S., Russia, and China, should dominate global affairs, a “Yalta 2.0” model that sidelines smaller nations like Ukraine and even Europe. Trump’s comments that “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not” reflect his view that Ukraine must compromise due to its weaker position. This aligns with his willingness to consider land swaps, including areas not currently occupied by Russia.

3. Domestic Political Gains: Trump’s pressure on Zelensky follows his campaign promise to end the war swiftly, a pledge he reiterated after taking office in January 2025. By pushing for a deal, even one unfavorable to Ukraine, Trump aims to project strength to his domestic base, particularly after pausing U.S. military aid to Kyiv following a February 2025 Oval Office clash. His softened tone toward Putin, whom he called “trustworthy” while threatening Zelensky with “big problems” over a stalled minerals deal, underscores this strategy.

4. Economic Interests: Trump’s push for a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, tied to Kyiv’s oil, gas, and rare earth resources, suggests economic motives. He has framed this as a way for the U.S. to recoup aid costs, but Zelensky’s resistance, citing Ukraine’s EU membership path, has frustrated Trump, leading to threats of consequences. A peace deal with Russia could unlock these economic benefits by stabilizing the region, even at Ukraine’s expense.

5. Geopolitical Realignment: Trump’s overtures to Putin, including a March 2025 call and the Alaska summit, signal a potential U.S.-Russia rapprochement, alarming NATO and the EU. Russian media and officials have celebrated this shift, claiming it ends Russia’s global isolation and sidelines Ukraine and Europe. Trump’s willingness to bypass Ukraine in talks, as Zelensky feared, suggests a strategic pivot to counterbalance China or other rivals, even if it weakens Western unity.

Here's what he said today: "I am totally convinced that if Russia raised their hands and said, “We give up, we concede, we surrender, we will GIVE Ukraine and the great United States of America, the most revered, respected, and powerful of all countries, EVER, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and everything surrounding them for a thousand miles, the Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners would say that this was a bad and humiliating day for Donald J. Trump, one of the worst days in the history of our Country.” But that’s why they are the FAKE NEWS, and the badly failing Radical Left Democrats. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!"

Why It’s a Bad Deal for Ukraine:

The proposed terms are seen as disastrous for Kyiv. Ceding Donetsk and Crimea would legitimize Russia’s 2014 and 2022 annexations, weaken Ukraine’s defensive positions, and invite future attacks, as Zelensky and European leaders warn. The vague security guarantees, compared to the failed Budapest Memorandum, offer little assurance against Russia’s history of violating agreements. Zelensky’s insistence on inclusion in talks and a ceasefire reflects Ukraine’s fear of being forced into a deal that compromises its sovereignty and security.

Trump’s pressure risks fracturing NATO and EU unity, with European leaders accompanying Zelensky to Washington on August 18, 2025, to ensure a deal isn’t skewed toward Russia. The move also affects U.S. allies like Israel, as Trump’s focus on Ukraine may divert attention from the Middle East, where Israel faces growing isolation over Gaza. Russian state media’s triumphant tone and claims that Trump has “hurt Zelensky for real” highlight the deal’s one-sided nature, potentially emboldening Putin to pursue further aggression.