**Europe Rejects US Push to Recognize Russian Occupation of Crimea, FT Reports**
In a move that has sparked concern among Ukraine’s allies, the United States is reportedly pushing for recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea. However, Europe is unlikely to back this move, according to a Financial Times (FT) report.
The FT reported on April 24 that Western officials have made it clear that they will not recognize Russian control over the Crimean Peninsula. The Trump administration’s proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war includes US de jure recognition of Moscow’s control over Crimea and de facto recognition of its partial occupation of other Ukrainian regions, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
The FT cited an unnamed senior European official as saying that major European NATO powers should discourage the US from making this move unilaterally. The European Union has consistently maintained that Crimea is part of Ukraine and will never recognize it as Russian territory.
**Trump’s Claims on Crimea Spark Outrage**
US President Donald Trump sparked outrage earlier this week by claiming that Crimea was taken without force in 2014. However, this claim has been widely debunked by Ukrainian officials and international experts.
During Russia’s annexation of Crimea, armed Russian troops seized Ukrainian government buildings, military installations, and blockaded bases. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 2014 condemning the seizure as illegal, with 100 member states voting in favor.
**Ukraine Reiterates Commitment to Territorial Integrity**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to its territorial integrity, saying that his country will always act in accordance with its Constitution. He also reaffirmed Ukraine’s position on Crimea, as outlined in a 2018 US declaration denouncing Russian occupation.
**European Officials Call for Cautious Approach**
The FT report comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. European officials have called for a cautious approach to any peace deal, warning that it must be based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In an interview with the New York Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that his country can find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, he also noted that “we will never give up our land.”
**Ukraine Faces Crossroads in Fight Against Russia**
The possibility of being forced to reject an unfavorable peace deal is a major concern for Ukraine. The country faces a crossroads in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion and must carefully weigh the pros and cons of any proposed agreement.
As tensions continue to escalate, European officials have urged caution and restraint, calling for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
