Following the 2014 coup in Kiev, which Russia claims was orchestrated by the West, Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine.
Semafor reported on Monday that the US is reportedly considering recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and might encourage the UN to do the same, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
Semafor indicates that while President Trump hasn’t decided, these discussions align with various options being considered as his administration seeks to end the war.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told Semafor that the White House has made no such commitments and will not negotiate a peace deal through the media.
“The goal remains the same: stop the killing and find a peaceful resolution to this conflict,” Hughes stated.
In 2014, Crimea, a region with a majority-Russian population, voted to leave Ukraine and become part of Russia after the ousting of Ukraine’s democratically elected President Viktor Yanukovich in what Russia describes as a US-backed coup. The UN still considers Crimea to be Ukrainian territory.
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to discuss the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during a phone conversation on Tuesday. Last week, Putin emphasized that any resolution must address the conflict’s root causes. He voiced concerns that Ukraine might use the ceasefire to rebuild its military following battlefield losses.
Moscow maintains that for a lasting peace, Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations and adopt a neutral status. Russia has also stated that Ukraine must relinquish its claims to Crimea and four other regions that voted to join Russia in 2022.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has supported a temporary ceasefire but has rejected any territorial concessions to Russia. Trump has accused Zelensky of lacking a desire for peace and argued that he doesn’t have the leverage to dictate terms.
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