US ‘peace plan’ includes recognizing 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea — report
The framework ceasefire agreement the United States will present to Ukraine and European allies in London on April 23 includes recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, The Washington Post reported on April 22.
The deal, initially outlined in Paris last week, would have Washington officially recognize Crimea as Russian territory and gradually lift sanctions from Moscow in exchange for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said some elements of the U.S. proposals have Kyiv’s support while others are “unacceptable.” One Western official told The Post that the pressure on Ukraine is “striking.”
A U.S. State Department representative denied that Washington has issued an ultimatum to Kyiv, though public frustration from the Trump administration over stalled negotiations has left Ukraine worried about further straining relations with Washington.
As negotiations continue, U.S. officials have warned they could exit the peace process within days, increasing pressure on Ukraine. Meanwhile, negotiators from the UK, France, and Germany—who are playing an increasingly active role in the discussions—plan to defend Ukraine’s position in London.
European officials say any deal must include security guarantees and a postwar recovery program, possibly funded in part by Russia’s frozen assets, the report adds.
Several European and Ukrainian officials privately acknowledged that Kyiv is unlikely to regain control of territories occupied by Russia in the near future. At best, they hope to delay any agreement that allows Moscow to hold onto occupied areas and benefit from lifted sanctions without securing gains for Ukraine, the report said.
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