According to the newspaper, the US proposal, presented by the special envoy of Trump Steve Witkoff Moscow and Kiev, includes Washington's official recognition of Russian control over Crimea, as well as the actual recognition of Russia's control over the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, occupied after the start of the full war in 2022.
In the event of rejection of the proposed agreement by Ukraine, the United States predict a long war, which can last for months and even years “. Kiev will be depending on European assistance – both in the field of financing and the supply of ammunitionsaid one of The Times.
– The discontinuation of financing by the United States will have the same impact as the cessation of weapons, because Ukraine uses these funds to buy weapons from other allies – the source pointed out. When asked if it is treated as an ultimatum “either agree or go” for the Ukrainian side, the interlocutor of the newspaper answered the affirmative.
Washington also counts on a change in social moods in Europe. According to American officials, the increase in anti -war moods will be caused by both fatigue with huge expenses for the support of Ukraine and the upcoming recession in the EU, partly provoked by new commercial duties introduced by Trump – the source said.
Trump does not rule out withdrawal from negotiations
Active US rehearsals, in order to mediate in peaceful conversations between Kiev and Moscow, began after the return of Donald Trump to the White House. On April 18, the American side warned the participants of the trial that it intends to withdraw from conversations if there is no progress, but did not provide specific dates. Later, Trump confirmed the existence of his own date for the conclusion of an agreement, indicating that after his expiry “the approach will be different”.
On April 24, answering the question of journalists, Trump said that the possibility of withdrawing the US from the negotiating process would become the current “in a few weeks”. “I think that we have a chance to enter into an agreement. And if the agreement is reached, this issue will not appear at all. But if you want, you can ask this question in two weeks,” said the American leader.
Later, Trump announced that most of the terms of the contract have already been agreed, and Moscow and Kiev are close to signing the agreement. He emphasized that to finalize the process it is necessary to meet “very high level”.
Trump's plan
Reuters published details of the proposals provided on April 17 by Steve Witkoff to European participants of negotiations in Paris. According to this data, the United States is ready to recognize the legal control of Russia over Crimea, as well as de facto control over the Lugansk circuits and parts of Donetsk, Zaporoskie and Kherson regions. The proposal also provides Ukraine's resignation from the pursuit of joining NATO and gradual abolition of anti -Russian sanctions introduced in 2014.
At the same time, the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelanski has repeatedly declared that Kiev would not agree to the conditions assuming the recognition of the Russian occupation of the territories of Ukraine, including Crimea. The alternative plan presented by the EU and Ukraine includes another approach: a discussion on territorial issues should begin only after complete suspension of weapons and only on the basis of international law. In addition, according to this plan, negotiations should start with the determination of the demarcation line.
