US proposes recognizing Crimea as Russian territory to advance Kyiv-Moscow peace talks: Report

• Proposal also includes gradually lifting sanctions against Moscow in exchange for Russia ceasing hostilities, freezing war's front lines, says Washington Post

HAMILTON, Canada

The US has proposed formally recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, according to a report on Tuesday.

The Washington Post report said the proposal, presented to Ukrainian officials during a meeting in Paris last week, includes recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and gradually lifting sanctions against Moscow. In exchange, Russia would cease hostilities and agree to freeze the war's front lines.

The report cited multiple unnamed officials familiar with the negotiations and noted that the proposal has sparked concern among Ukraine's European allies.

Talks on the issue are set to continue in London on Wednesday, with top officials from Ukraine, the US, and European powers participating.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser confirmed that, while Kyiv agrees with certain parts of the US proposal, others remain contentious. Western officials have expressed alarm at the scale of the expected concessions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that the US may walk away from the peace process if no progress is made soon.

European diplomats are expected to push for stronger security guarantees and postwar reconstruction commitments for Ukraine, should any deal proceed, the report added.

The proposed recognition of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, would mark a dramatic shift in US policy. Ukrainian officials continue to view Crimea's return as nonnegotiable.