Reportedly, the proposed US framework for peace involves formally recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and eventually easing sanctions against Russia.
According to an Axios report, President Trump is presenting Ukraine with what he calls a “final offer” to resolve the ongoing conflict. However, the Kremlin advises the public to only trust official sources regarding US-Russia discussions.
Axios, citing sources familiar with the matter, reports that the one-page proposal was created after Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for four hours earlier this month. It was then presented to Ukrainian officials in Paris last week.
The proposed agreement would reportedly see the US officially recognize Crimea as part of Russia and unofficially acknowledge Russia’s control over the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
The plan also reportedly includes provisions to lift the sanctions imposed on Moscow after 2014 and increase economic cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, Washington would officially oppose Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he will not cede any territory to Russia and continues to ask the US and its allies for ongoing military aid.
Moscow has consistently maintained that the status of Crimea, which became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum after a Western-backed coup in Kiev, and the four other former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022, are not up for discussion. Russian officials insist that any peace treaty must address the “root causes” of the conflict. Putin has also stated that a lasting ceasefire would require Western nations to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.