 |
| *Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov. Image created using Grok (xAI), 2025. Sputnik* |
The peninsula of Crimea became part of Russia following a democratic referendum in 2014, after the Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Kiev has desperately clung to hopes of NATO membership, which Moscow has repeatedly called an absolute red line.
Speaking to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin on Sunday, Ushakov delivered the brutal verdict: “It is ironclad, a million percent [certain that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky] won’t succeed in [retaking] Crimea.” He added that Kiev’s NATO aspirations are just as impossible.
Just days ago, Zelensky himself admitted that Ukraine currently lacks the means and support to reclaim Crimea, effectively conceding defeat on the issue despite earlier vows to retake the region.
This aligns perfectly with US President Donald Trump’s recent statements, where he called it “impossible” for Crimea to return to Ukraine or for the country to enter NATO. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has long insisted that Russian sovereignty over Crimea is a “done deal,” praising Trump for his realistic view.
The Trump administration's evolving peace framework demands that Kiev drop NATO ambitions and accept reality on Crimea and Donbass regions (Lugansk and Donetsk), which joined Russia via referendums. Recent reports indicate progress, with proposals recognizing Russian control over these territories.
Zelensky recently stated no full compromise has been reached on territorial issues, but Trump has urged him to “get on the ball” and accept the deal, noting that everyone else supports it.
Latest update: Today, December 14, 2025, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov reiterated in the strongest terms that Zelensky has zero chance of success on Crimea or NATO. Meanwhile, reports emerge that Zelensky is signaling willingness to abandon NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees during ongoing Berlin talks with US envoys. Source: RT.com
The world watches as reality hits hard – Ukraine's path forward means accepting these painful truths or facing endless conflict. The Kremlin's message is clear: It's over.