Washington - Saba:
Informed sources reported on Friday that the United States is prepared to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, as part of a peace agreement to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.Bloomberg, citing the sources, reported that "the United States is prepared to recognize Russia's control over Crimea, as part of a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv."
It is worth noting that Crimea joined the Russian Federation following a referendum held on March 16, 2014, in Crimea and Sevastopol. The majority voted in favor of seceding from Ukraine and joining Russia. 96.77 percent of Crimea voted to join the Russian Federation, while 95.6 percent of Sevastopol voted in favor.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced on several occasions that the people of Crimea voted in favor of reunification with Russia through democratic means, in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter. Russia respects and accepts this choice, and such a decision is an irrefutable fact.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the referendum in Crimea was in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
On March 11, the Saudi city of Jeddah hosted talks between delegations from the United States and Ukraine to reach a solution to the Ukrainian crisis. During these talks, Ukraine expressed its willingness to accept a US proposal for an immediate and temporary ceasefire for 30 days, which could be extended by mutual agreement, provided Russia accepts and simultaneously implements the agreement.
US President Donald Trump expressed his hope that Russia would agree to the ceasefire proposal in Ukraine.
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his acceptance of a US proposal to cease hostilities in Ukraine. Putin emphasized that this proposal is only acceptable if it leads to long-term peace.
Putin said, "We agree with the proposal for a ceasefire, but we proceed from the principle that a ceasefire must lead to lasting peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis," noting that "there are issues that require careful consideration by both sides."
US President Donald Trump confirmed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, commented on the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine as "very promising but incomplete," noting that there were positive signs regarding Moscow's position.