Ukrainian and European officials meeting in London on Wednesday will be presented with a U.S. proposal that includes recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and freezing current front lines as part of a broader peace agreement, according to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions.
The proposal, presented to Ukrainian officials in Paris last week, also includes the eventual lifting of sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow ending hostilities. With Russia holding battlefield momentum and military advantages, the offer is seen by some in Kyiv as Washington’s final attempt to advance negotiations before stepping back from the peace process altogether.
Western allies, particularly France, Germany, and the UK, are expected to press for any territorial concessions to be tied to concrete benefits for Ukraine, including security guarantees and postwar reconstruction — potentially funded through frozen Russian assets.
The highest-ranking U.S. representative at the London meeting will be presidential envoy Keith Kellogg, while Ukraine is sending Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak. Trump said Monday he would release details of the U.S. plan within three days.
The Paris proposal followed an hours-long meeting in Moscow earlier this month between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who is expected to return to Moscow later this week. One source familiar with the proposal described the Crimea recognition element as “Witkoff’s idea.”
