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The United States is ready to recognize Russia's control over Crimea as part of a broader peace deal between Moscow and Kiev, Bloomberg reported on April 18, citing people familiar with the matter.
The potential concession signals President Donald Trump's desire to secure a ceasefire agreement. Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on April 18 that the administration could abandon its peace mediation efforts if negotiations fail soon.
In late February 2014, Russian troops without military insignia invaded Ukraine's Crimea. For most of February, Russia had been quietly increasing its troop presence on the peninsula. They blockaded the airports in Sevastopol and Simferopol and seized the Crimean parliament building.
They also blockaded Ukrainian military bases located on the peninsula. Ukrainian troops did not receive orders to fire on Russian troops.
In March 2014, the Russian-controlled Crimean parliament voted to hold a “referendum” on joining Russia. The sham vote on annexation was conducted in the absence of any international observers and with armed Russian soldiers present at polling stations.
The so-called results were announced by the Russian occupation authorities on March 16, 2014, in which the Russian government claimed that 97 percent of voters were in favor of annexation. Numerous international reports proved that the results were fabricated.
Recognition of Russia's control of Crimea would mark a significant victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long sought international legitimacy over the territory.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said that Ukraine will not cede any part of its territory to Russia. Putin has so far rejected Trump's broader peace proposal.
The sources said no final decision has been made. A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations declined to comment on the possibility of recognizing Crimea, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing talks.
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