Washington suggests freezing frontlines and recognizing Crimea annexation; Putin signals possible compromise on occupied territories.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the United States and Russia have put forward competing frameworks for a potential peace deal — both of which leave Kyiv facing difficult choices. Reports from The Washington Post and Financial Times outline the core proposals currently under discussion between global powerbrokers.
🔹 U.S. Proposal: Recognize Crimea and Freeze Frontlines
According to The Washington Post, U.S. negotiators have proposed that Ukraine formally recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and agree to freeze the conflict along current frontlines. The suggestion was reportedly delivered to Ukrainian officials during a meeting in Paris last week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded on Tuesday, reaffirming that Ukraine cannot legally accept Crimea’s separation, citing the Ukrainian constitution.
🔹 Putin’s Offer: Drop Claims to Some Occupied Regions
Meanwhile, Financial Times reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to halt the war along current frontlines, mirroring the U.S. position, but also signaled that Moscow might drop its demands to annex four partially occupied Ukrainian regions still controlled by Kyiv.
The offer was made earlier this month in St. Petersburg, during a meeting with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump. Three anonymous sources familiar with the talks confirmed the details to Reuters.
🔹 Ongoing Diplomacy and Rising Frustrations
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Witkoff is set to travel to Russia again later this week for further talks. She noted that President Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with both sides, pressing for a swift end to hostilities.
“We hope the dialogue is moving in the right direction,” Leavitt said.
The current proposals come amid a backdrop of U.S. pressure on Ukraine to show flexibility, while Kyiv remains firm on its territorial integrity — especially regarding Crimea, which Russia annexed a decade ago.
