Donald Trump said that it would be difficult for Ukraine to return Crimea, as it was "given away" by the Obama administration. He evaded answering whether he was ready to recognize Crimea as Russian for the sake of peace.
The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people condemned any attempts to recognize Crimea as Russian, emphasizing that this is a gross violation of international law and an encroachment on the sovereignty of Ukraine. The only way to peace is de-occupation.
France recognized the court's decision regarding compensation to Oshchadbank for lost Crimean assets. The seizure of Russian assets is part of the bank's multi-year effort to recover damages.
Trump's actions regarding the possible recognition of Crimea as Russian put European leaders before a difficult choice. They must decide whether to support Ukraine or side with the United States.
Donald Trump believes that Russia is ready for a deal. Negotiations with the Ukrainian leader, according to him, turned out to be more difficult than expected.
Donald Trump did not answer whether the White House would recognize Crimea as Russian for a peace agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. He stated that he wants an end to the war and has no favorites.
Trump believes that Zelensky is making mistakes in negotiations with Russia. He is disappointed and wants peace, but this requires both parties.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate peace, but will not accept any options for "surrendering" territories. A complete ceasefire and security guarantees are needed, strong enough to deter future aggression.
Negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and the EU to end the war in Ukraine have collapsed due to disagreements. Washington offered controversial concessions, causing concern.
Ministerial talks on the war in Ukraine in London have been postponed due to the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions will take place at the level of officials.
Top diplomats were supposed to hold talks on the war in Ukraine in London, but the meeting will take place at the level of senior officials. The US will offer Kyiv to recognize Crimea as Russian and freeze the front.
Washington is waiting for Kyiv's response regarding the terms of peace that secure the occupied territories for the Russian Federation. It concerns the rejection of Crimea.
The US will present a seven-point plan for a settlement in Ukraine, which includes recognizing Crimea as Russian, lifting sanctions, and renouncing security guarantees.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas stated that the US still has leverage over Russia. She called on Washington to take a tougher stance on Moscow.
Putin offered Trump to stop the invasion of Ukraine along the current front line. Russia also rejected some US proposals, including the military presence of NATO countries in Ukraine.
U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not participate in the London talks on the Russian-Ukrainian war. The U.S. will be represented by Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg.
Ukraine will never legally recognize the occupation of Crimea, as it contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that Crimea is the territory of Ukraine.
The US may offer to recognize Crimea as Russian and freeze the front line for a peace agreement. In exchange for a ceasefire, Russia will receive sanctions relief, and Ukraine will receive security guarantees and reconstruction.
The Office of the Prosecutor General has notified 14 metropolitans of the Russian Orthodox Church of suspicion of aiding and abetting encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. They facilitated the seizure of property of Ukrainian churches in the occupied territories.
Russian occupiers have started to massively and chaotically move equipment and air defense throughout Crimea, according to ATESH agents. This may indicate panic, rather than increased security measures.
In Kyiv, external work on cladding the facade with foam plastic has resumed at the architectural monument "House with a bread shop" (Yaroslaviv Val, 27). This is happening despite an open criminal proceeding and orders from the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kyiv City State Administration.
The Ukrainian negotiating team officially did not agree to discuss territorial integrity, including Crimea. An advisor to the Office of the President stated that the Constitution of Ukraine contains direct prohibitions on such discussions.
Trump's plan for Ukraine involves recognizing Crimea as Russian and blocking NATO membership. Kyiv is preparing a response, which is to be provided at a meeting in London.
On the night of April 19, Russia attacked Ukraine with 95 aerial targets, including missiles and 87 drones. Air defense shot down 33 "Shaheds", 36 drones were accounted for otherwise; there are affected regions.
Bloomberg reports that the US may recognize Russian control over Crimea in a potential peace agreement. This proposal could freeze the front line, leaving most occupied territories to the Russian Federation, and remove the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership.
During the occupation of Crimea by the Russians, more than 200 archaeological sites were damaged or destroyed. Also, the occupiers appropriated immovable monuments that were on the state register of Ukraine.
The former Minister of Information of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, who joined the occupiers in 2014, has been sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. He has been found guilty of treason.
On the night of April 18, the Russians attacked Ukraine with missiles and UAVs, launching 6 missiles of various types and 37 ударних drones. The Defense Forces shot down 3 missiles and 23 UAVs.
In the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia region, the Russians have launched a pseudo-tourist project among ruins, trenches and stolen exhibits. The goal is to hide militarization and looting.
On the night of April 16, Russia attacked Ukraine with 97 "Shahed" drones and other UAVs. Air defense forces shot down 57 drones in the eastern, northern, and southern regions.