Trump mulls recognizing Crimea as Russian in peace bid
The United States is reportedly considering recognizing Russian control over the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter.
What do you need to know?
- The United States is considering recognizing Crimea as part of Russia. This move aims to accelerate negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
- Ukraine does not intend to give up Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he will not agree to hand over this territory to Russia.
- President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have indicated that the U.S. administration is ready to end its mediation efforts if substantial progress is not made quickly in the talks.
Will the U.S. recognize Crimea as Russian?
These potential concessions are the latest indication that President Donald Trump wants to finalize a ceasefire agreement, Bloomberg reports. On Friday, both he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the administration is prepared to abandon peace efforts if swift progress is not achieved.
Crimea was seized by the Kremlin in 2014 following an invasion and a controversial referendum conducted under occupation. The international community opposes recognizing the peninsula as Russian and does not intend to legalize its annexation.
What are the consequences of recognizing Crimea?
Recognizing Crimea as part of Russia would undermine international law and treaties prohibiting the acquisition of territories by force. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it would be a significant victory, as he has long sought international recognition of Russian authority over Crimea.
Putin has so far refused to agree to Trump's proposal for a comprehensive peace agreement. Will the offer to recognize Russian authority over Crimea change this stance?
Bloomberg's sources indicate that no final decision on this proposal has been made yet.
The White House and the State Department did not respond to requests for comment. An American official familiar with the negotiations, when asked about the possibility of recognizing Crimea, declined to comment on the specifics of the talks, the agency reports.
