Trump offers peace deal: Recognize Crimea as Russia or risk US exit
The United States is awaiting Ukraine's response to a peace proposal that involves recognizing Crimea as Russian and effectively accepting the current front lines, according to Axios. Trump's plan is described as a "final offer," which Kyiv views as clearly pro-Russian.
According to sources familiar with the document's content, the United States expects Ukraine's response on Wednesday to a framework peace agreement proposal. This proposal includes recognizing Crimea as part of Russia and unofficially acknowledging Russian control over almost all territories occupied since the 2022 invasion.
The one-page document, which the US handed over to Ukrainian representatives in Paris last week, is referred to as President Donald Trump's "final offer." The White House notes that if the parties do not reach an agreement soon, the US is prepared to withdraw from the negotiations.
Trump's plan would require significant concessions from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly stated that he will not accept the Russian occupation of Crimea and parts of four eastern Ukrainian regions.
"While Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly offered to freeze the current front lines in order to reach a deal, he has previously rejected other elements of the U.S. framework, such as a European peacekeeping force on Ukrainian territory," writes Axios.
The Kremlin, however, quickly denied these reports.
One of the Ukrainian informants told Axios that Kyiv considers Trump's proposal "highly biased towards Russia": The proposal says very clearly what tangible gains Russia gets, but only vaguely and generally says what Ukraine is going to get, said the informant.
What Russia gains under Trump's proposal:
- Recognition by the US of Crimea's annexation (de jure).
- De facto recognition of Russian occupation of almost the entire Luhansk region as well as occupied parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
- A guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO; however, joining the EU is allowed.
- Lifting of sanctions imposed since 2014.
- Expanded economic cooperation with the US, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors.
What Ukraine gains:
- "A robust security guarantee" provided by a group of European countries and possibly other countries with a similar approach. The document does not specify what a peace operation would look like and does not foresee US involvement.
- The return of a small part of the Kharkiv region occupied by Russia.
- Unhindered access to the Dnipro River, which runs along the front line in the southern part of the country.
- Compensation and reconstruction aid – without indicating a source of funding.
Other elements of the plan:
- The nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, the largest in Europe, is to remain Ukrainian territory but be managed by the US, while the energy is to be distributed to both Ukraine and Russia.
- The document also mentions an agreement between the US and Ukraine regarding raw materials, which Trump announced would be signed on Thursday.
According to Axios, this plan was developed following a four-hour meeting between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin, which took place last week.
Witkoff is set to return to Moscow this week – it will be his fourth meeting with Putin.
Breakthrough talks in London?
On Wednesday, key talks between Ukraine and its allies will take place in London regarding an unconditional ceasefire with Russia, informed the President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that this is the first step towards lasting peace.
Both Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not participate in the Wednesday talks in London, where representatives of the US, Ukraine, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom will be present – although they had previously planned to attend.
The American delegation will be led by special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. The mentioned document will be one of the topics of discussion.
