Reports out of Moscow and Washington suggest Donald Trump is quietly preparing one of the most dramatic changes in US foreign policy in years — formally accepting Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories.
The idea, according to The Telegraph, is part of a broader attempt by the US president to secure a negotiated end to the war with Vladimir Putin.
Envoys Sent to Moscow for High-Stakes Talks
Sources close to the discussions say Trump has already dispatched two key figures — peace envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner — to outline the proposal directly to the Kremlin.
Both men were reportedly in Moscow laying out the early framework of a potential deal.
If advanced, the move would place the US on a collision course with European allies who have resisted any peace plan that involves Ukraine losing land.
One official briefed on the exchanges put it bluntly: “The Americans don’t care about the European position.
They say the Europeans can do whatever they want.”
Russia Signals Its Demands
Vladimir Putin, speaking on Thursday, left no ambiguity about what he expects in return for negotiations.
He said Washington would need to accept Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea along with the occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Sources say this recognition forms a non-negotiable core of his stance on any Trump-led initiative.
On Friday, the Kremlin acknowledged receiving a revised American proposal after Ukranian and US officials met urgently in Geneva last weekend.
The Evolving Peace Plan
The first version presented to Russia — a 28-point draft — reportedly offered “de facto” recognition of Moscow’s control of Crimea and the occupied Donbas.
It also suggested legal recognition of Russian-held territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia once a ceasefire was in place.
Ukraine pushed back immediately. After more discussions, American and Ukrainian officials pared down the draft into a 19-point document described by Kyiv as less generous to Russia.
But insiders say the most sensitive provision — US recognition — still lingers within the American concept.
Ukraine Stands Firm on Its Constitutional Limits
Kyiv has reiterated that no Ukrainian president can legally surrender land.
The constitution requires a nationwide referendum for any territorial changes, effectively blocking unilateral concessions.
Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky’s chief of staff, voiced this position in an interview with The Atlantic.
“Nobody sane would sign a document giving up territory,” he said. “Zelensky will not sign away territory. The constitution forbids it.
No one can do that unless they want to go against the Ukrainian people.”
Yermak and Ukrainian security chief Rustem Umerov are now expected to travel to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for further discussions.
Sensitive Sections Left Blank
The latest American proposal reportedly leaves the most explosive questions unresolved — particularly the final status of territory.
Those details, sources say, would be settled only if Trump and Zelensky meet in person.
Europe Pushes Back Hard
Any American move to legitimise Russia’s territorial gains would instantly put Washington at odds with Europe’s long-standing united stance.
After a meeting of pro-Ukraine nations this week, the coalition repeated its principle that borders must never be changed by force — a foundational rule they say protects peace across Europe.
A European counter-proposal presented to the US insists that territorial issues be addressed only after a complete and unconditional ceasefire, and specifically avoids endorsing Russian control of any region.
A Break With Decades of US Diplomatic Doctrine
Such recognition would mark a huge departure from America’s historical policies.
The US refused to acknowledge the Soviet takeover of the Baltic states during the Cold War — a precedent often cited throughout the current conflict.
Since 2014, Washington, London, Brussels, and most of the world have rejected Russia’s claims to Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Formally reversing that position would reshape not only the war, but also Western unity and long-standing principles of global diplomacy.
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