The US to Make Offer to Ukraine, According to WP

Ukraine and its European allies are set to meet with senior US officials in London tomorrow to discuss proposals that may not sit well with Kyiv. This was reported by The Washington Post.

During the meeting, Ukrainian and European officials will confront a rapidly evolving US proposal to acknowledge Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and to freeze frontline positions as part of a peace agreement.

Ukraine's allies hope to secure security guarantees and reconstruction plans for the war-torn country in exchange for such territorial concessions. Last week, US proposals presented to Ukraine in Paris included the formal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory by Washington and, ultimately, the lifting of sanctions against Russia as part of a future deal, according to three individuals familiar with the matter. In return, Moscow would halt its military operations in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's advisor stated that the American proposals include some ideas that Kyiv agrees with, while others are unacceptable. A Western official noted that the level of pressure on Ukraine is "astonishing." As negotiations gain momentum and US officials threaten to leave within a few days, pressure on Kyiv is increasing.

French, British, and German negotiators, who have been closely involved in the talks, are expected to insist on Ukraine's position, calling for any agreement to include security guarantees and post-war reconstruction plans, which could potentially be partly funded by Russian frozen assets. It is noteworthy that Zelensky has publicly stated that "Ukraine legally does not recognize the occupation of Crimea."