**EU Reiterates Stance on Crimea as Ukraine Rejects Ceasefire Proposal**
In a stark rejection of the US-backed proposal to end the war in Ukraine, European Union (EU) diplomat Kaja Kallas has stated that her bloc will never recognize the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula as legally Russian.
This comes amid reports that the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory is being considered as part of the US-proposed ceasefire deal. However, Kallas firmly maintains that “Crimea is Ukraine” and that it would be a grave mistake to reward Moscow’s annexation by including recognition of Crimea in any peace agreement.
“We are expecting (him),” Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said when asked if US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would arrive in the coming days.
Kallas’ comments are a clear reflection of the EU’s unwavering stance on the issue. The bloc has consistently condemned Russia’s annexation of Crimea, labeling it as a blatant violation of international law.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has also ruled out recognizing Crimea as Russian, stating that “there is nothing to talk about” and that such recognition would violate Ukraine’s Constitution.
**US Must Use Pressure on Moscow, Not Reward It**
Kallas has urged the US to mount pressure on Moscow rather than ceding to Kremlin demands. She noted that Washington has tools at its disposal to pressure Russia but hasn’t used them effectively.
“If they are now walking away without using the tools that they have actually in their hands, then my big question mark is, why?” Kallas questioned.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Ukraine’s defense media outlet Militarnyi reported on April 22 that a Russian military facility in Crimea was likely being used as a storage site for Russia’s missiles. This development comes amid reports of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arriving in the region to discuss a possible ceasefire agreement.
Additionally, Japan’s Kyushu University Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) has agreed to provide Ukraine’s military intelligence agency with synthetic aperture radar imagery, according to Intelligence Online magazine.
