US proposes Crimea concession to Russia, stirs European unrest
The US administration, under President Donald Trump's leadership, has proposed a peace agreement to Ukraine, involving the recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea. This proposal has caused concern among European countries, which firmly reject such a possibility, reports the "Financial Times."
Donald Trump’s administration offered Ukraine a draft peace agreement that includes terms favourable to Russia, including US recognition of Russian sovereignty over the annexed Crimea in 2014, writes the "Financial Times".
According to the newspaper, this is the largest concession to Moscow within the White House's ongoing efforts to achieve peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Kyiv will not recognise Russian sovereignty over any Ukrainian territory. Nevertheless, Ukraine may agree to de facto Russian control over Crimea in exchange for Western security guarantees.
European interlocutors of the "FT" emphasise that they will not support any US actions aimed at recognising Crimea's annexation, nor will they pressure Kyiv to comply.
"Crimea and future NATO membership aspirations are red lines for us. We cannot concede on this," said one European diplomat.
Concerns over deteriorating relations with the US
The US decision to recognise Crimea as part of Russia could "kill the EU unity", warns a "Financial Times" source. European officials emphasise that recognising Crimea's annexation is unacceptable to them and urge the US to refrain from unilateral decisions on this matter.
According to the newspaper, European diplomats fear that differences in Kyiv and Washington's approach to this issue could harm relations between the US and Europe and affect transatlantic security.
Hopes for Europe's participation in peace talks under US leadership were dashed when Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled his participation in a meeting with European and Ukrainian delegations in London. Instead, the US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to go to Russia.
