Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian land in 2014 after the pro-Russian president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted following pro-Europe protests. It has since been used as a staging post to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told the news site Semafor that the Trump administration is considering recognising this illegal annexation, though it is one of many options being discussed.
Administration officials have also discussed the possibility of having the US encourage the United Nations to do the same.
National security council spokesperson Brian Hughes told the site that the administration has “made no such commitments”.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump claims that “many elements” of a Ukraine peace deal have been agreed ahead of his planned phone call with Mr Putin later today.
“Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains,” he said on TruthSocial.
“Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.”
Trump administration considering recognising Crimea as Russian, claims report
US president Donald Trump is considering recognising the occupied peninsula of Crimea as Russian, aligning with Mr Putin, it has been claimed.
Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian land in 2014 after the pro-Russian president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted following pro-Europe protests. It has since been used as a staging post to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told the news site Semafor that the Trump administration is considering recognising this illegal annexation, though it is one of many options being discussed.
Administration officials have also discussed the possibility of the US encouraging the United Nations to do the same.
National security council spokesperson Brian Hughes told the site that the administration has “made no such commitments”.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:49
Ukraine and Russia have conditions that could affect a ceasefire. What are they willing to concede?
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:43
In pictures: Eastern Ukrianian town hit by Russian strikes
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:32
Russia launch more than 100 drones across Ukraine
Russia launched 137 drones across Ukraine in an overnight attack, Kyiv’s air force said on Tuesday.
Ukrainian air defences destroyed 63 of them and another 64 were “locationally lost” without causing damage, the air force added, a reference to drones diverted by electronic jamming.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:22
Ukraine’s troops vastly outnumbered and facing ‘huge swarms’ of Russian drones in Kursk retreat
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:19
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Washington is hoping that Russian can agree to “freeze” the conflict with a ceasefire, matching the pledge from Kyiv.
“We got a good commitment from Ukraine last week,” he told “The Guy Benson Show” on Fox News Radio last night.
“They agreed to stop shooting and freeze everything where it is, and we can get to talking about how to end this permanently. And now we got to get something like that from the Russians,” Mr Rubio said.
“We’ll know more tomorrow after the president speaks to Putin. And hopefully we’ll be in a better place,” the US secretary of state said.
Rubio calls on Russia to match Ukraine’s commitment to ceasefire18 March 2025 08:00
Ukraine waiting for Putin’s response today, says foreign minister
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has said Kyiv is hoping to get clarity on peace talks after the scheduled call today between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
“Ukraine is not the obstacle to achieving peace, let’s see what Putin’s response is,” Mr Sybiha said in New Delhi while attending the Raisina Dialogue.
Mr Sybiha said Ukraine is ready to implement outcomes of the Saudi Arabia meeting where the Ukrainian delegation met with the US delegation and agreed on a temporary ceasefire for 30 days.
“We believe with the Trump presidency, Ukraine can achieve a just and lasting peace,” Mr Sybiha said.
He reiterated that Ukrainian sovereignty is non-negotiable. “No third country has the right to block our choice to join any unions or alliances — that remains our principled stance,” he said.
Arpan Rai18 March 2025 07:41
Trump will have ‘very productive call’ with Putin, US intel chief says
Donald Trump will have a “very productive call” with Vladimir Putin, the US president’s intelligence chief has said.
US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that while the negotiations to end Russia’s war with Ukraine have just begun, Mr Trump is “looking forward to success”.
“Under the previous administration, during which this war began, there was no effort, there was no effort at all towards peace. There was no effort to have direct dialogue with Putin and with Russia to try to bring about an end to this war. So already in a very short period of time, President Trump has made much more progress towards peace than any effort that has occurred by anyone, previously,” Ms Gabbard said in an interview with India’s NDTV.
“I’m sure that President Trump will have a very productive conversation with Putin, once again, rooted in his unwavering commitment to peace,” she said.
Arpan Rai18 March 2025 07:25
What to expect as Trump and Putin thrash out a ceasefire in Ukraine
The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin will speak on the phone to Donald Trump today. The White House says Ukraine’s president Zelensky will come to Washington on Friday. Peace – or at least a ceasefire – seems very likely soon.
But never forget, the devil is in the details – and a hastily cobbled-together deal could be very fragile. There will be hardliners on either side who don’t want to give peace a chance.
Let’s consider what might be in a deal agreeable to Trump and Putin – and swallowable by Zelensky.
What to expect as Trump and Putin thrash out a ceasefire in Ukraine
Peace – or at least a ceasefire – seems very likely soon, writes Mark Almond – but the deal’s success hinges on delicate negotiations, territorial concessions and security guarantees. And neither the US nor the Russian leader is particularly known for delicacy…
Arpan Rai18 March 2025 07:11
