Washington: The United States may be open to recognising Russia’s control over Crimea as part of a comprehensive peace agreement with Ukraine, according to a report by Bloomberg. This possibility is reportedly being considered amid continued diplomatic efforts, with US President Donald Trump pushing for a ceasefire between the warring nations.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 following a military occupation and a controversial referendum that has been widely condemned by the international community. Most countries, including the United States, have rejected the legitimacy of the annexation, citing international laws prohibiting territorial acquisition by force. A shift in Washington’s stance would mark a significant departure from longstanding global norms.
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly growing frustrated with the slow progress of peace negotiations. Both hinted on Friday that the US may withdraw from mediation efforts if talks continue to stall.
“The longer this drags on, the harder it gets to justify our involvement,” Trump told reporters, adding that the United States would halt its diplomatic efforts if delays persist.
Kyiv Firm on Territorial Integrity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected any proposal that involves ceding territory to Russia. Speaking in Kyiv on Thursday, Zelenskyy reiterated his country’s stance, particularly in response to comments by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been accused of adopting a position sympathetic to Moscow.
“We will never consider Ukrainian lands as Russian,” Zelenskyy declared. “There can be no discussion about our territory before a ceasefire.”
Despite these firm positions, backchannel negotiations continue. US officials recently presented a proposal to European allies in Paris that includes freezing the frontlines and gradually lifting sanctions on Russia if a lasting ceasefire is achieved. The plan reportedly also includes a provision to exclude Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations from ongoing discussions — a longstanding Russian demand.
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The Paris meeting included officials from the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. In a private session, French President Emmanuel Macron and US envoy Witkoff reportedly discussed potential frameworks for peacekeeping operations and ceasefire monitoring mechanisms in the event of a formal agreement.
However, Moscow appears unwilling to settle for partial measures. The Kremlin recently ended a 30-day ceasefire and resumed strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. A recent missile strike in Sumy killed 35 people, underscoring the ongoing volatility of the conflict.
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Kyiv maintains that future negotiations can only proceed if Russia demonstrates a genuine commitment to halting its military offensive.
