DONALD Trump is set to hand occupied Ukrainian territories over to Vladimir Putin to secure a deal to end the war, it is reported.
The US is expected to recognise Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories.
It is understood that the US President sent Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to make the offer to the Russian tyrant in Moscow.
Reports suggest that the plan to recognise territory is likely to go ahead despite concern from Ukraine‘s allies in Europe.
A source told The Telegraph: “It’s increasingly clear the Americans don’t care about the European position.
“They say the Europeans can do whatever they want.”
The Kremlin said it had received an updated strategy for ending the war.
It comes as one of Putin’s closest allies – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – travelled to Russia for talks on energy and the war in Ukraine.
Putin greeted Orban in Moscow on Friday on a rare visit by an EU and Nato leader.
Orban said he would still be happy for Budapest to host a Russia-US summit with President Donald Trump.
During the meeting, Russia confirmed it would deliver the agreed crude and gas supplies to Hungary according to the existing contract, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
His trip to Moscow is the second since last year.
The meeting comes as Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak announced his resignation following an anti-corruption raid on his home.
It threatens to destabilise Zelensky’s leadership just as peace talks approach a crucial stage.
Zelensky appointed Yermak to lead peace deal discussions in the coming days, however, it is unclear who will replace him at the negotiating table.
The latest version was drawn up after emergency talks between Ukrainian and American officials in Geneva, Switzerland, last weekend.
An initial 28-point peace plan included America’s “de facto” recognition of Crimea and the two eastern Donbas regions.
It also contained “de facto” recognition of Russian-held land in Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
However, Ukrainian and US officials have now negotiated a new 19-point-plan.
It is said to be less favourable to Moscow‘s demands.
Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief of staff, previously said: “Not a single sane person today would sign a document to give up territory.
“As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory.
“The constitution prohibits this. Nobody can do that unless they want to go against the Ukrainian constitution and the Ukrainian people.”
It is unclear how the latest proposal will deal with the most contentious issues, such as any territorial concessions.
The Ukrainian president has not indicated when he will travel to either Washington or Florida to meet the US leader.
However, Washington’s offer to recognise Russian territory has caused consternation amongst its European allies.
After a meeting of the coalition of the willing on Wednesday, its leaders said: “They are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force.
“This remains one of the fundamental principles for preserving stability and peace in Europe and beyond.”
A European counter-proposal to the original 28-point plan made no recommendation to recognise Russian control over Ukrainian territory.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15564094/trump-occupied-ukraine-russia-gift-putin/
