The Trump administration is considering recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of a potential agreement to end the war between Moscow and Kyiv, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Officials have also explored the possibility of urging the United Nations to acknowledge Russia’s claim over the region, aligning the administration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-standing position that Crimea belongs to Russia.
The administration’s willingness to consider these options comes as Trump prepares for a Tuesday call with Putin, where a 30-day ceasefire is reportedly on the table. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump mentioned that negotiators had discussed “dividing up certain assets.”
No final decision has been made, and recognizing Crimea as Russian territory is just one of several possibilities under discussion as the administration works toward ending the conflict.
Trump first floated the idea of recognizing Crimea years before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While campaigning in 2016 and during his first term, he repeatedly indicated he would consider the move.
“The people of Crimea, from what I’ve heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were,” Trump said in a 2018 interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. “And you have to look at that, also.”
