By KUMAIL JAFFER

Published: 15:30 BST, 25 April 2025 | Updated: 15:30 BST, 25 April 2025

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Donald Trump proposed allowing Russia to keep Crimea and other areas of Ukraine it currently controls as well as banning Kyiv from joining NATO, it has emerged - prompting a pushback from European and Ukrainian officials. Leaked documents highlighting the vastly different proposals from the US and Europe for resolving the conflict show the White House far more willing to concede Ukrainian territory to Moscow.

Donald Trump proposed allowing Russia to keep Crimea and other areas of Ukraine it currently controls as well as banning Kyiv from joining NATO, it has emerged – prompting a pushback from European and Ukrainian officials. Leaked documents highlighting the vastly different proposals from the US and Europe for resolving the conflict show the White House far more willing to concede Ukrainian territory to Moscow.

Plans drawn up by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014, as well as the removal of sanctions currently in place. It also proposes de facto recognition of Russia's hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that Moscow's forces control. The document, which was presented to European officials last week before being passed onto their Ukrainian counterparts , also states Kyiv will have a 'robust security guarantee' with European and other friendly states acting as guarantors - but will not join NATO.

Plans drawn up by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014, as well as the removal of sanctions currently in place. It also proposes de facto recognition of Russia’s hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that Moscow’s forces control. The document, which was presented to European officials last week before being passed onto their Ukrainian counterparts , also states Kyiv will have a ‘robust security guarantee’ with European and other friendly states acting as guarantors – but will not join NATO.

The American proposal was handed over last Thursday during talks in Paris, with the European counter-proposal presented at further negotiations in London on Wednesday. The text prepared by European and Ukrainian officials defers detailed discussion about territory until after a ceasefire is concluded. There is no mention in the document of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.

The American proposal was handed over last Thursday during talks in Paris, with the European counter-proposal presented at further negotiations in London on Wednesday. The text prepared by European and Ukrainian officials defers detailed discussion about territory until after a ceasefire is concluded. There is no mention in the document of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.

The revelations emerged as Witkoff touched down in Moscow for his fourth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to Wednesday's meeting in London, Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not recognise the annexation of Crimea in exchange for a peace deal. It also suggests there will be no limits on Ukrainian forces and no restrictions on Ukraine's allies stationing their military forces on Ukrainian soil. To back this up, Kyiv will receive robust security guarantees from major nations with an 'Article 5-like agreement'.

The revelations emerged as Witkoff touched down in Moscow for his fourth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to Wednesday’s meeting in London, Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not recognise the annexation of Crimea in exchange for a peace deal. It also suggests there will be no limits on Ukrainian forces and no restrictions on Ukraine’s allies stationing their military forces on Ukrainian soil. To back this up, Kyiv will receive robust security guarantees from major nations with an ‘Article 5-like agreement’.

The principle in the NATO charter states that an armed attack against one alliance member is considered an attack against all , suggesting any future Russian invasion would result in Western countries coming to Ukraine's defence. Sanctions would only be 'gradually eased' instead of removed entirely, according to the proposals, which were first seen by Reuters. They would also be reinstated if Russia breaks the terms of the agreement. Ukraine would receive financial compensation for damage inflicted in the war from Russian assets abroad that have been frozen under the plans.

The principle in the NATO charter states that an armed attack against one alliance member is considered an attack against all , suggesting any future Russian invasion would result in Western countries coming to Ukraine’s defence. Sanctions would only be ‘gradually eased’ instead of removed entirely, according to the proposals, which were first seen by Reuters. They would also be reinstated if Russia breaks the terms of the agreement. Ukraine would receive financial compensation for damage inflicted in the war from Russian assets abroad that have been frozen under the plans.

In contrast, Witkoff was lighter on detail, suggesting Ukraine would be compensated financially, but not clarifying where the money would come from. Last night Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top Putin ally, said that Russia is 'ready to reach a deal' but that there were still details to be 'fine-tuned'. He told CBS that Trump 'believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction'.

In contrast, Witkoff was lighter on detail, suggesting Ukraine would be compensated financially, but not clarifying where the money would come from. Last night Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top Putin ally, said that Russia is ‘ready to reach a deal’ but that there were still details to be ‘fine-tuned’. He told CBS that Trump ‘believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction’.

'The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process,' Lavrov clarified. Trump has indicated that he is prepared to hand over major concessions to Moscow in order to end the conflict, which started in 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine . Asked what Russia has offered so far to move the peace process along, Trump said yesterday: ' Stopping the war . Stopping — taking the whole country.'

‘The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process,’ Lavrov clarified. Trump has indicated that he is prepared to hand over major concessions to Moscow in order to end the conflict, which started in 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine . Asked what Russia has offered so far to move the peace process along, Trump said yesterday: ‘ Stopping the war . Stopping — taking the whole country.’

'Pretty big concession,' he added. 'This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now. 'I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close.' Witkoff met Putin in Moscow earlier today - his fourth encounter with the Russian leader - with a video published by the Kremlin showing the pair shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table.

‘Pretty big concession,’ he added. ‘This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now. ‘I think we’re going to make a deal … I think we’re getting very close.’ Witkoff met Putin in Moscow earlier today – his fourth encounter with the Russian leader – with a video published by the Kremlin showing the pair shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table.

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The differences between US and Europe’s Ukraine peace proposals

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