US proposes ceasefire and recognition of Crimea in new talks
The US administration is planning another meeting with Russia to discuss the terms of ending the conflict. The United States' proposals include a ceasefire along the front line. Will the Kremlin agree to Washington's version?
What you need to know
- President Donald Trump's administration plans to organize another meeting between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representatives to persuade Moscow to accept the American terms for ending the war.
- The US proposal includes recognizing Russian control over Crimea and a ceasefire along the front line. Details of this proposal have been presented to European and Ukrainian partners in Paris.
- Talks about the proposal also took place by phone between US Secretary of State Mark Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Key points of the US proposal
The Trump administration aims to recognize Russian control of Crimea as part of its proposal to end the conflict with Ukraine. In this initiative, the US also proposes a ceasefire along the front line. These key points have been discussed with European and Ukrainian partners in Paris and communicated to the Russians during a phone conversation.
Will Russia accept the US terms?
Another meeting between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representatives is planned to persuade Moscow to accept the American terms. The US administration intends to work with European and Ukrainian partners to strengthen its position in the upcoming talks, which are scheduled to take place in London next week.
The future of Crimea
The US administration is considering recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, with the aim of expediting peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is firmly opposed to giving up Crimea. Donald Trump and Marco Rubio have suggested that the US may end mediation if there is no quick progress in the talks.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 following an invasion and a controversial referendum. The international community opposes recognizing the peninsula as Russian and does not intend to legalize its annexation. Recognizing Crimea as part of Russia would undermine international law.
For Vladimir Putin, recognizing Crimea would be a significant victory, as he has long sought international acknowledgment of Russian authority over the peninsula. So far, Putin has rejected Trump's proposals for a broad peace agreement.
