U.S. officials reportedly stand ready to recognise Russian control of Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian areas as a means to end the war, The Telegraph reports.
U.S. Offer to Recognise Russian‑Controlled Territories
U.S. officials are reportedly ready to recognise Russian control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories as a step toward ending the war, The Telegraph reports.
The newspaper says former President Donald Trump sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow to present a direct offer to Vladimir Putin.
The plan would recognise parts of Ukraine as Russian, violating U.S. diplomatic conventions, and though opposed by European states is likely to be implemented; as one source said, “It is increasingly clear that Americans do not care about Europe’s position; they say let Europeans do whatever they want.”
19‑Point Peace Plan Revised from Original 28‑Point Draft
On Friday the Kremlin received a revised 19‑point peace plan, down from an original 28‑point draft that had called for recognising Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as Russian and setting Russian‑controlled areas as a border line in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Negotiated in Geneva, the new plan is less favourable to Moscow, but according to sources the United States’ offer of territorial recognition remains intact.
Ukrainian Officials Reject Any Territorial Give‑up
Over the weekend, Andriy Yermak and Rustam Umerov were scheduled to meet U.S. officials in Florida, but Yermak resigned on Friday, and his successor will be chosen Saturday, President Zelenski noted.
Yermak, speaking before the meeting, said, “No sane person would sign a document giving up territory today. While Zelenski remains president, Ukraine will not cede territory, which the constitution forbids. No one can do that unless they wish to oppose the Ukrainian constitution and people.”
