US considers recognising Crimea as Russian amid peace talks
The United States is reportedly prepared to acknowledge Russian control over the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a larger peace settlement between Moscow and Kyiv, according to Bloomberg, citing individuals familiar with the situation.
What do you need to know?
- The United States is considering recognising Crimea as part of Russia. This decision is intended to expedite negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
- Ukraine does not intend to relinquish Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently emphasised that he will not agree to cede this territory to Russia.
- President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have indicated that the U.S. administration is ready to conclude its mediation efforts if swift progress is not made in the discussions.
Will the U.S. recognise Crimea as Russian?
Potential concessions are the latest indication that President Donald Trump is eager to finalise a ceasefire agreement, according to Bloomberg. On Friday, he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the administration is prepared to withdraw from peace efforts if rapid progress is not achieved.
Crimea was annexed by the Kremlin in 2014 following an invasion and a referendum conducted under occupation. The international community opposes recognising the peninsula as Russian and does not intend to legitimise its annexation.
What are the consequences of recognising Crimea?
Recognising Crimea as part of Russia would undermine international law and treaties prohibiting the acquisition of territories by force. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it would be a major triumph, as he has long sought international recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
Putin has so far refused to accept Trump's proposal for a comprehensive peace agreement. Will the suggestion to recognise Russian control over Crimea alter this situation?
Bloomberg's sources indicate that a final decision on this proposal has not yet been reached.
The White House and the State Department did not respond to requests for comment. An American official familiar with the negotiations, when asked about the possibility of recognising Crimea, declined to comment on the specifics of the talks, reports the agency.
