**US President Donald Trump Refuses to Take a Stance on Ukraine’s Recognition of Crimea**
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump has declined to weigh in on whether he wants Ukraine to recognize occupied Crimea as Russian territory. When asked by reporters on April 23, Trump instead called for an end to hostilities between the two countries.
“I just want to see the war end, I don’t care,” Trump said. “If they’re both happy, they both sign an agreement, I have no favorites. I don’t want to have any favorites. I want to have a deal done.”
This statement comes as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed that his country will never legally recognize Russia’s control over Crimea. “There is nothing to talk about,” Zelensky said. “This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine.”
**Ukraine and Russia Face a Crossroads in Their Conflict**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for months, with both sides suffering significant losses. The US has been trying to broker a ceasefire, but progress has been slow. Trump’s comments have added to the confusion, leaving many wondering what the US’s true stance on Crimea is.
While Trump did not deny that the US might move forward with formally recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, this would contradict a decade of bipartisan US policy and a 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolution that declared Russia’s annexation illegal.
**Experts Warn Against Formal Recognition**
Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn. “This is not just a matter of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” said one expert. “It has implications for the entire world.”
The US media outlet Axios reported on April 23 that the US President Donald Trump administration’s final proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war included the US de jure recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and de facto recognizing its control over other occupied Ukrainian territories.
**Reaction from Kyiv Residents**
When asked for their reactions to the US proposal, Kyiv residents expressed concern and frustration. “I don’t think we should give up on our territory,” said one resident. “We need to stand strong against Russian aggression.”
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has left many residents in a state of uncertainty, with some fearing that the US is putting pressure on Ukraine to accept an unfavorable peace deal.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear what will happen next. The US has warned that it may withdraw from mediation efforts if no progress is made in the coming days. Meanwhile, Ukraine insists on an “immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,” and Russia continues to escalate its attacks.
The world waits with bated breath as these two nations try to find a way out of this devastating conflict.
