Trump Admin Prepared to Recognize Crimea as Russian Territory: Report

According to a report by Bloomberg on Friday, individuals familiar with the matter stated that the Trump administration is on the verge of acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory as part of a larger peace agreement to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Newsweek reached out to the White House and State Department for comment via email on Friday.

Russia unlawfully invaded and annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, after which it has been considered Russian territory. The area has experienced instability and political unrest as Ukraine endeavors to remove Russian forces from Crimea and Donbas.

Currently, the U.S. recognizes Crimea as part of Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has affirmed that he will not relinquish Crimea or any other land to Russia as part of a ceasefire or peace agreement. The reported readiness of the Trump administration to acknowledge Crimea as part of Russia may complicate the delicate negotiations with Ukraine and Russia regarding a ceasefire deal, highlighting the White House’s eagerness to solidify a final agreement following pressure from President Donald Trump and top officials.

Bloomberg’s report followed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement on Friday that the U.S. will determine in “a matter of days” whether achieving a peace deal is feasible. Rubio mentioned engaging with both sides to evaluate the possibility. He traveled to France to discuss specific requirements for securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

Various European countries, including the U.K. and France, have formed a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine after a contentious meeting in the Oval Office where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky. This coalition would offer security guarantees to Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine.

Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine have faced obstacles, particularly regarding a minerals deal that Trump has pushed for, linking access to Ukraine’s mineral reserves with continued U.S. support in the conflict with Russia. Disagreements over the terms of the deal, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU have complicated talks.

Tensions escalated after a revised draft of the agreement from the Trump administration expanded the demands and lacked U.S. security assurances for Ukraine, a significant concern for Kyiv. The negotiating environment has been described as confrontational, with U.S. officials expressing frustration over comments by Zelensky’s team.

While Russia has expressed openness to a peace deal with Ukraine, accusations of manipulation and delays have been directed at the Kremlin by the U.S. and Ukraine. The next steps remain uncertain as a final decision on whether the U.S. will push for Ukraine to cede Crimea to Russia in a ceasefire deal is pending.