The United States appears to be preparing to accept Russia’s control over Crimea and other seized Ukrainian territories as part of a potential peace agreement. As reported by The Telegraph, Donald Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to inform Vladimir Putin that the American president is prepared to formalise this territorial status as part of a prospective deal. According to the newspaper, the plan has raised concern among Ukraine’s European allies, while Washington maintains that Kyiv would not be required to offer reciprocal recognition.
The United States appears ready to acknowledge Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories in pursuit of a deal to end the war. According to The Telegraph, Trump dispatched his peace envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow to deliver the proposal directly to Putin.
The newspaper notes that the plan—anchored in territorial recognition and at odds with long-standing U.S. diplomatic practice—is likely to move forward despite unease among Ukraine’s European partners. One well-informed source said: «It is increasingly clear that the Americans care little about Europe’s position. They say the Europeans can do whatever they want». On Thursday, November 27, Vladimir Putin said that formal U.S. recognition of Crimea, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk, as Russian territory would become a central element of negotiations on the American president’s plan.
On Friday, November 28, the Kremlin announced that it had received an updated strategy for ending the war, prepared following urgent consultations between Ukrainian and U.S. representatives in Geneva last weekend. The initial 28-point plan, drafted by Witkoff after discussions with Russian officials, envisioned a U.S. “de facto” recognition of Crimea and two eastern regions of the Donbas. The document also allowed for a “de facto” acknowledgment of Russian control over the parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions held behind the line of contact after a potential ceasefire.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Yermak, who took part in negotiations on the revised version of the plan, stressed: «No sane person today will sign a document handing over territory. As long as Zelensky is president, no one should expect us to give up any land. He will not do it. The constitution prohibits it. No one can agree to this unless he intends to act against the Ukrainian constitution and the Ukrainian people».
“As Long as Zelensky Is President, There Will Be No Territorial Concessions”
Yermak Sets Out Ukraine’s Position Ahead of Peace Talks
“When Ukrainian Forces Withdraw from the Territories They Hold—that Is When Hostilities Will Cease. If They Do Not Withdraw—we Will Achieve It by Military Means.”
Putin Made a Series of Statements on How to Resolve the War in Ukraine
The Telegraph notes that in the latest version of the proposal, the most contentious issues—including any final territorial arrangements—have been left blank and are to be discussed only at an in-person meeting between Zelensky and Trump. When the Ukrainian president plans to travel to Washington or Florida for talks with the American leader has not yet been disclosed.
Washington’s apparent readiness to recognise Russian control has alarmed European allies, who have repeatedly made clear that they will not endorse any peace agreement premised on altering borders by force.
The alternative proposal put forward by Europe in response to the original 28-point plan contained no recommendation to acknowledge Russian authority over Ukrainian territory and stipulated: «Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire».