President Trump Slams Obama-Biden Legacy Over Crimea as He Pushes for Peace Deal
President Donald Trump sharply criticized former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for their failure to protect U.S. interests in Crimea, calling it a “giant failure” that helped embolden Russia in its aggression toward Ukraine.
Speaking with reporters over the weekend, President Trump expressed disappointment in Russia’s recent missile strikes, which came just as new diplomatic efforts were underway to broker a peace agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The talks were reportedly initiated after Putin floated a proposal aimed at averting a new wave of Western sanctions. Zelenskyy responded by requesting an in-person meeting with Putin in Istanbul. While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow would send a delegation, he declined to say whether Putin himself would attend.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are said to have quietly suggested a ceasefire framework that includes acknowledging Russia’s control of Crimea and freezing current battle lines. But Ukraine has consistently rejected any deal that would legitimize the illegal annexation of Crimea.
Zelenskyy has called the return of Crimea essential to peace, saying in 2022, “The Russian war against Ukraine and against the entire free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – and its liberation” [Axios].
President Trump made it clear who he believes is responsible for the current standoff over the peninsula: the Obama and Biden administrations.
“Crimea was given away by Barack Hussein Obama, and by Biden, like 11 or 12 years ago,” Trump told reporters. “That’s a long time ago. I don’t know how he could bring up Crimea, because that’s been a long time. Nobody brought it up for 12 years, and now they’re bringing it up now. So, I told them, I told him, he should maybe go back to Obama, ask him why they gave it up. They gave it without a shot being fired by him.”
President Trump emphasized that peace is possible but urged both sides to act swiftly.
“We have the confines of a deal, I believe, and I want him [Putin] to sign it and be done with it,” the president said, adding that he wants Russia to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal.”
He also contrasted his leadership with that of his predecessor, saying:
“There’s no more games. We have somebody that knows what he’s doing, not like the previous person who didn’t have a clue.”
Standing Strong Amid Anti-ICE Riots
While working toward peace abroad, President Trump is also responding firmly to domestic unrest. Following violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles—where protestors reportedly spat on police officers—the president authorized the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops.
Standing alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Jersey before boarding Air Force One, President Trump condemned the lawlessness and promised consequences for those who assaulted law enforcement officers.
“We’re not going to tolerate that kind of behavior. Spitting on police officers? That’s not protest, that’s assault,” Trump said.
The president is reportedly considering invoking the Insurrection Act if riots escalate further. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has placed an additional 500 U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton on standby, prepared to assist in maintaining order.
A recent report identified several radical groups believed to be behind the organized anti-ICE demonstrations, raising questions about coordinated efforts to destabilize immigration enforcement.
More protests are expected in California throughout the week, but the Trump administration has made it clear: law and order will be upheld.