The United States may recognize Russia’s control over Crimea as part of a proposed peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, according to Bloomberg. This development comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire between the two countries, warning that the US could walk away from the talks if progress isn’t made soon.
Crimea was invaded by Russia in 2014 after a controversial referendum, and its annexation has been widely rejected by the international community. The proposed plan would freeze existing battles and allow for a gradual relaxation of sanctions on Moscow if a permanent ceasefire is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has opposed any proposal to surrender land to Russia, stating that Ukraine will not accept any territory, including Crimea, as Russian. Zelenskyy lashed out at Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff for allegedly adopting a pro-Russian stance, emphasizing that Ukraine will never consider its lands as Russian.
US officials recently made proposals in Paris to European allies, outlining a plan that would take Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO off the negotiating table, a long-standing Russian requirement. Trump expressed frustration with the slow pace of peace talks, saying, “The longer this drags on, the harder it gets to justify our involvement.”
Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia has shown little enthusiasm for a partial ceasefire, recently ending a 30-day ceasefire in attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A Russian missile attack on Sumy killed 35 people, drawing widespread criticism from international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who claimed that Russia was “undermining the diplomatic efforts made by President Trump.”
The proposed deal could have significant implications for global politics, given the international community’s stance on Crimea’s annexation. As negotiations continue behind the scenes, the situation remains complex and sensitive, with both sides holding firm to their positions [1].