On March 18, the US page Semafor quoted a close source as saying that the US could recognize Crimea under Russia. If this happens, it will be the biggest turning point in Washington's foreign policy since the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict.
According to Semafor, US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision, but discussions about the fate of Crimea are part of a series of options that his administration is considering to end the conflict in Ukraine.
US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told Semafor that the White House has not made any commitment and will not negotiate peace through the media. However, he emphasized that the most important goal is still to "cease blood spills and seek a peaceful solution".
Crimea, with a majority of its population of Russian origin, voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in 2014 after the Western-backed coup d'etat that overthrew Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich. However, the United Nations still consider this territory of Ukraine.
Russia insists any peace deal must address the root cause of the crisis. President Vladimir Putin fears Ukraine could take advantage of the 30-day ceasefire agreement to reorganize its forces after a series of military failures.
Russia stressed that in order to achieve long-term peace, Ukraine must abandon its ambition to join NATO and become a permanent neutral state. In addition, Kiev must recognize Crimea and four other regions that voted to join Russia in 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky supported a temporary ceasefire but rejected all territorial censeakes. Meanwhile, Mr Trump criticized Mr Zelensky for not really wanting peace and said the Ukrainian leader did not "have a card" to impose conditions.
