Trump says he 'thinks' Zelensky ready to give up Crimea, despite Ukrainian president's statements otherwise

Donald Trump said Sunday that he believes that the Ukrainian government is ready to give up Crimea, which is one of the conditions of the peace deal the U.S. proposed to Russia and Ukraine last week.

Speaking to reporters on his way back from the Pope’s funeral at the Vatican — where he met with Volodymyr Zelensky, among others — Trump was asked whether he thought the Ukrainian president was prepared to give up control of Crimea. “I think so,” he replied. Trump added that Zelensky now seemed “calmer,” according to the BBC.

Trump also urged Vladimir Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal” to end the war, saying that he believes a ceasefire agreement could be reached within two weeks.

Zelensky said last week that Ukraine “will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea.”