La White House has launched a ultimatum which, if not resolved quickly, could turn into a permanent “freeze” of the situation in Ukraine. During a visit to India, the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, clarified Washington's position: "I think we have reached a point where we have to take, if not the last, one of the last steps. On a general level, we have to stop the killings and freeze the borders at a level similar to the current one." His proposal is clear: both the Russia that l 'Ukraine they will have to accept sacrifice part of their current territories. And if no agreement is reached? The United States will “withdraw” its support.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president Zelensky has opened up the possibility of negotiations direct with Moscow, but only after a ceasefire. “We are ready to sit down at a table in any format to end the war,” he said, reiterating that Kiev would not engage until hostilities stopped. Russia, according to the Financial Times, proposed to freeze the invasion along the current front line, renouncing claims to territories not yet occupied, and thus maintaining control over Crimea. However, the European Union is skeptical, fearing that the Russian move is just a strategy to buy time, “buy” Trump's support and reorganize the troops.
The Secret Plan of the United States
According to leaked from Axios, Washington has put forward a proposal to Ukraine that includes a set of conditions crucial to achieve a peace agreement. Among the main ones, there is the recognition of the Crimea as part of the Russia, with tacit consent also to Russian control over other occupied areas by 2022. The proposal, which was reportedly presented to Ukrainian officials in Paris last week, is described as “President Trump’s final offer.” In addition, the plan calls for Ukraine give up joining NATO, but will be free to join the European Union, with the stability guaranteed by the European armed forces. However, no military support directed by the United States.
The plan also includes freezing the battle lines at the front to stop the escalation and find a diplomatic solution. Furthermore, according to the Washington Post, the proposal could lead to the lifting of sanctions against Moscow, but that would depend on the final deal. The White House is now awaiting Kiev's response, with a meeting between U.S., Ukrainian and European officials scheduled in London later this week.
Zelensky: “Ukraine will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia”
Strong there reaction of Kiev. According to internal sources cited by Axios, the Ukrainians would prefer a 30-day ceasefire as the first stage of negotiations, postponing discussion of a final agreement to a later date. The Ukrainian president was clear: There is no chance that Ukraine will recognize Crimea as part of Russia, defining this move as "against our Constitution". And it is not just a whim: it is a position of principle. To make matters worse, the European Commission It reaffirmed: "Crimea is Ukraine“, without ifs or buts.
Meanwhile, among the European partners, France e UK they seem to have an idea more flexible: they would be willing to consider the idea of Ukraine giving up some territory occupied by Russia, but only in exchange for significant economic aid and security guarantees. On the condition that this territorial recognition occurs “only de facto”, that is, without any formalization by Moscow. In short, a slightly looser “status quo”, but still standing.
London ministerial summit postponed
Meanwhile, the Peace talks expected in London, expected for today, have been postponed, as confirmed by the British government. However, a meeting with lower-level officials will still take place. The postponement has been attributed to theabsence of the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who attended the talks in Paris last week. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the talks did not take place in London because the parties failed to agree on any points. Rubio's absence also influenced the European ministers' decision not to attend. Rubio, who has become quite irritated by the slow pace of the talks, commented in a post on X that, given the situation, the US team will focus on technical meetings with their Ukrainian and British counterparts. The US secretary of state hinted at a possible US withdrawal if the negotiation process does not accelerate.
The next possible point of contact between Washington and Kiev will be in Rome, on the occasion of Pope Francis' funeral, where both the Ukrainian leader and the US president are expected. The two could meet in the Vatican to informally discuss negotiations. Zelensky has hinted at an openness to direct talks: “We are always ready to meet with American partners. Always.”
Russian attack: 9 killed in bus raid
Meanwhile, while diplomats are fighting, the pain continues on the field. A Russian drone strike kills nine in Marganec, a city in southeastern Ukraine. The attack, which hit a bus with company employees on board, also seriously injured 30 other people. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region gave an update on the tragic situation. Zelensky, in the usual tone of someone who is now accustomed to suffering, wrote on X: “Stopping the killings is our first goal.”
Last updated: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 15:55 p.m.
