The US is considering the possibility of “recognizing” Russia’s de facto control over occupied Crimea as part of a potential broader peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. About this informs Bloomberg.
Such a concession by the United States is the “latest signal” that President Donald Trump intends to conclude a ceasefire agreement. In particular, we are talking about statements by Trump himself and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 18, in which they suggested the possibility of curtailing American mediation efforts if the process does not yield results in the near future.
A possible “recognition” of Russian control over Crimea could call into question international legal norms that prohibit the seizure of territories by force and annexation. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not agree to the transfer of its lands to Russia.
The final decision on this initiative has not yet been made. The publication’s inquiries to the White House and the State Department remained unanswered. Also, the US representative, familiar with the progress of the negotiations, did not comment on the issue of the possible “recognition” of Crimea.
We will remind that the USA presented its allies with options for a peaceful settlement in Paris on April 17. The proposals include a cessation of hostilities and easing of sanctions against Russia if a long-term ceasefire is observed. According to officials, the document effectively “freezes” the front line, leaving most of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories under the control of the Russian Federation.
