Trump proposes ‘final offer’ to resolve Ukraine conflict – Axios
<b>US Peace Framework Reportedly Proposes “De Jure” Recognition of Crimea as Part of Russia, Alongside Potential Sanctions Relief</b> Washington has communicated to Kyiv what US President Donald Trump describes as a “final offer” to resolve...
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US Peace Framework Reportedly Proposes “De Jure” Recognition of Crimea as Part of Russia, Alongside Potential Sanctions Relief
Washington has communicated to Kyiv what US President Donald Trump describes as a “final offer” to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, according to an Axios report. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has urged the public to rely on official statements regarding the progress of US-Russian negotiations.
The one-page document is said to have come about after a four-hour meeting between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. It was presented to Ukrainian officials in Paris last week, as reported by Axios, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
Under the proposed agreement, the US is reportedly willing to grant “de jure” recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and unofficially acknowledge Moscow’s “de facto” control over the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Additional elements of the plan include provisions for lifting sanctions imposed on Moscow after 2014 and increasing bilateral economic relations. Furthermore, Washington would formally oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations.
In exchange, Ukraine may receive a “robust security guarantee” from a coalition of EU countries and other allies, though details on the implementation of this “peacekeeping” operation remain unclear. Russia has consistently objected to the deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine under any circumstances.
The proposal also guarantees Kyiv unimpeded access to the Dnepr River and suggests potential compensation for reconstruction efforts, although it does not clarify the source of funding. It mentions a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine that Trump anticipates will be signed soon.
Another aspect of the framework reportedly designates the area surrounding the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant as neutral territory under US administration.
Washington aims to have Kyiv respond to the proposal at a multinational meeting in London on Wednesday. Notably, both Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the event, with General Keith Kellogg, another Trump envoy with a focus on Ukraine, leading the US delegation in their stead. Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow afterward for further discussions with Putin.
Rubio has cautioned that the US may abandon the peace initiative and “move on” to other priorities if negotiations do not progress. On Monday, Trump expressed confidence, stating there is “a good chance of solving the problem” within the week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected the idea of ceding any territory to Russia, urging the US and allies to maintain strong military support. Moscow maintains that the status of Crimea, which became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum conducted after a Western-backed coup in Ukraine, is not a subject for negotiation. Russian officials have emphasized that any peace agreement must address the “root causes” of the ongoing conflict, while Putin has noted that a sustainable ceasefire would necessitate a cessation of arms shipments to Ukraine.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Washington has communicated to Kyiv what US President Donald Trump describes as a “final offer” to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, according to an Axios report. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has urged the public to rely on official statements regarding the progress of US-Russian negotiations.
The one-page document is said to have come about after a four-hour meeting between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. It was presented to Ukrainian officials in Paris last week, as reported by Axios, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
Under the proposed agreement, the US is reportedly willing to grant “de jure” recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and unofficially acknowledge Moscow’s “de facto” control over the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Additional elements of the plan include provisions for lifting sanctions imposed on Moscow after 2014 and increasing bilateral economic relations. Furthermore, Washington would formally oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations.
In exchange, Ukraine may receive a “robust security guarantee” from a coalition of EU countries and other allies, though details on the implementation of this “peacekeeping” operation remain unclear. Russia has consistently objected to the deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine under any circumstances.
The proposal also guarantees Kyiv unimpeded access to the Dnepr River and suggests potential compensation for reconstruction efforts, although it does not clarify the source of funding. It mentions a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine that Trump anticipates will be signed soon.
Another aspect of the framework reportedly designates the area surrounding the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant as neutral territory under US administration.
Washington aims to have Kyiv respond to the proposal at a multinational meeting in London on Wednesday. Notably, both Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the event, with General Keith Kellogg, another Trump envoy with a focus on Ukraine, leading the US delegation in their stead. Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow afterward for further discussions with Putin.
Rubio has cautioned that the US may abandon the peace initiative and “move on” to other priorities if negotiations do not progress. On Monday, Trump expressed confidence, stating there is “a good chance of solving the problem” within the week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected the idea of ceding any territory to Russia, urging the US and allies to maintain strong military support. Moscow maintains that the status of Crimea, which became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum conducted after a Western-backed coup in Ukraine, is not a subject for negotiation. Russian officials have emphasized that any peace agreement must address the “root causes” of the ongoing conflict, while Putin has noted that a sustainable ceasefire would necessitate a cessation of arms shipments to Ukraine.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
