European and Asian diplomats are reportedly worried that a territorial agreement in Ukraine could set a “dangerous precedent.”
According to a CNN report citing unnamed sources, officials in Western Europe and Asia fear that a proposed framework by US President Donald Trump to resolve the Ukraine conflict could legitimize territorial conquest.
This framework, unconfirmed by the White House, allegedly involves US recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and acknowledging Russia’s control over substantial portions of four formerly Ukrainian regions now part of Russia. US Vice President J.D. Vance has mentioned the administration is considering “freezing the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today.”
CNN’s sources, several anonymous diplomats, criticized the plan, arguing it would “reward” Russian President Vladimir Putin and send a “dangerous message” to other world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping.
One Eastern European diplomat told CNN, “This is about the fundamental principles of international law,” adding that “if one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its own legal territory… no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO.”
Moscow has consistently denied any intention to attack NATO or EU countries or seize their territory, accusing Western officials of “fearmongering” to justify increased military spending.
However, many Eastern European governments, including Poland and the Baltic states, have cited a perceived threat of Russian aggression as a reason to increase defense budgets and deploy more troops.
The CNN report comes as US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian officials in Moscow for further discussions. Trump has cautioned that the US might discontinue diplomatic efforts if significant progress toward peace isn’t achieved soon.
Trump has openly criticized Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, accusing him of hindering peace efforts by refusing to consider territorial concessions. Conversely, the US president has indicated that he finds Russia easier to negotiate with than Ukraine.
Moscow has welcomed the Trump administration’s attempts to resolve the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated recently that Moscow and Washington are “moving in the right direction” regarding a potential peace agreement.
Russian officials have repeatedly stated their openness to a negotiated settlement but insist that any peace agreement must reflect the current territorial situation and address the underlying causes of the conflict.
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