<picture class="article__media"> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2025/08/13/0/0/6277/4359/664/0/75/0/b33b7ec_ftp-import-images-1-yfirlohsqrya-5625079-01-06.jpg" alt="Images Le Monde.fr" width="100%" height="auto"> </picture> <noscript> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2025/08/13/0/0/6277/4359/664/0/75/0/b33b7ec_ftp-import-images-1-yfirlohsqrya-5625079-01-06.jpg" alt="Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after a video conference of European leaders with US President Donald Trump on the Ukraine war ahead of a summit between the US and Russian leaders, in Berlin, on August 13, 2025. "> </noscript> <figcaption class="article__legend" aria-hidden="true">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after a video conference of European leaders with US President Donald Trump on the Ukraine war ahead of a summit between the US and Russian leaders, in Berlin, on August 13, 2025. JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP </figcaption>

US President Donald Trump said late Sunday, August 17, that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky could choose to end the war with Russia "almost immediately," but retaking Russian-occupied Crimea or joining NATO are off the table.

"President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on the eve of a White House meeting with the Ukrainian president and European leaders.

<div class="catcher__content">Read more <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/08/16/after-the-trump-putin-summit-europe-must-make-a-move_6744429_23.html" class="js-article-read-also catcher--favoris__link" data-premium="">After the Trump-Putin summit, Europe must make a move</a> </div>

"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!!!" he added.

Le Monde with AFP

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on the eve of a White House meeting with the Ukrainian president and European leaders.{ai:summary}Trump said Zelensky could end the war almost immediately, but Crimea and NATO membership are off the table.Zelensky and Merz spoke in Berlin after a European leaders' video briefing with Trump ahead of a US-Russia summit. #ukraine

Trump says Zelensky can decide to end war, rules out reclaiming Crimea

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