Not just Crimea: EU rejects US on another key Ukraine issue

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US framework program, proposed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris, was received with enthusiasm.

However, according to Reuters sources, among the US proposals was "recognizing Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, a move that is a non-starter for Europe and Ukraine."

"Beyond Crimea, other major sticking points remain, including Russia's push for the lifting of European Union sanctions against it before negotiations are finished, which Europe staunchly opposes," the media resource states.

Meeting on Ukraine in London

On April 23, an important meeting was scheduled in London with representatives from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany to discuss ways to resolve the war. It was expected that the key issue would be a complete ceasefire.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by the Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa.

Just 24 hours before the summit, the news emerged that the US planned to present its own peace initiative in London. This initiative proposed, among other things, freezing the frontline, Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership, and recognizing Crimea as Russian.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia, thus rejecting the US plan.

As previously reported, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the meeting in London. However, according to RBC-Ukraine's source, the Ukrainian delegation is heading to the meeting in the British capital.