Trump's Ukraine plan: Recognizing Russian control at centre stage

• Donald Trump plans to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, where both leaders are set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. The event is expected to begin at 4 a.m. Eastern Time.
• The U.S. proposal involves recognizing Russian control over Crimea and other occupied territories of Ukraine, a suggestion encountering resistance from Kyiv.
• Pressure on Ukraine is increasing, and a lack of agreement could prolong the conflict for years, making Kyiv dependent on European support.

U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to recognize Russian control over the occupied territories of Ukraine is non-negotiable. According to the British "Times", Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept these terms. Their meeting may take place in Rome, where they are both expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

Sources close to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy who visited Moscow, claim that Trump believes that Zelensky "really has no choice" but to accept his proposal. The American President threatens to withdraw from the peace process if an agreement is not reached soon.

"Trump's view is that this land has been seized and it is not going back," a source close to Witkoff said. "The deal on the table is that the Russian-occupied territory is going to remain occupied. Russia’s not pulling it out of it. That part is set in stone," the source conveyed.

If Kyiv rejects the proposal, the war could drag on for months or years. Ukraine would then be dependent on Europe for finances and arms supplies. Washington fears that the European public may not be willing to bear the high costs of supporting Ukraine, especially in the face of an impending recession.

The British and French are trying to persuade Trump to meet with Zelensky after the Pope's funeral to ease tensions. However, the Italian government has deemed that such a meeting could be perceived as inappropriate given the circumstances.