**US Revives Proposal to End Ukraine War, Including Recognition of Russian Control Over Crimea**
The United States is taking a fresh approach to ending the war in Ukraine. According to a report by Bloomberg on May 15, Washington is proposing to revive the NATO-Russia Council as part of a broader plan to bring peace to the region.
This proposal is significant because it marks a shift from previous American plans that required Russia to make concessions before talks could begin. The US has also proposed recognizing Russia’s control over occupied Crimea and freezing the war along current front lines, but only after a lasting peace is achieved.
The NATO-Russia Council was created in 2002 as a forum for military and political dialogue between NATO member countries and Russia. However, ties were severed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This proposal would revive the council, allowing for communication on shared security issues, including Ukraine.
**Russia Pushes Maximalist Demands**
In contrast to the US proposal, Russia continues to push its maximalist demands, which include a permanent ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership, territorial losses, and demilitarization of the country. These demands would require significant concessions from Ukraine and go against the country’s own peace plan.
Ukraine has consistently ruled out discussing concessions before hostilities cease, calling for a full and unconditional ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air. The US-backed security guarantees are also crucial to Ukraine’s peace plan.
**Peace Talks Set to Resume**
On May 15, Ukraine and Russia are expected to renew their peace talks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin for a face-to-face meeting in Istanbul. However, Putin declined the invitation and appointed his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to lead the talks.
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