The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine might witness a significant development, as the United States is reportedly considering recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea and other contested regions. This potential acknowledgment is seen as part of a strategic move to facilitate peace negotiations. According to sources quoted by the Daily Telegraph, President Trump has dispatched Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Moscow to present this peace proposal to President Putin.

These intense negotiations coincide with a significant shake-up in Ukraine, where one of President Zelensky’s top aides resigned shortly after his home and office were raided in a corruption investigation. Zelensky revealed this development amidst updates on Ukraine’s ongoing engagement in peace talks. Despite these efforts, there remains skepticism within European circles. A source indicated to the Telegraph that the U.S. seems indifferent to Europe’s stance, suggesting that European nations are free to pursue their own course.

On Thursday, President Putin emphasized that any U.S. decision to formally recognize Crimea, along with the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as Russian territory would be pivotal in progressing the proposed peace plan by the American president. By Friday, Russian officials confirmed receipt of revised peace proposals following urgent discussions between Ukrainian and American leaders in Geneva. During a high-profile summit in August, held in Alaska, Putin had underscored that legal recognition of these territories was crucial for advancing peace talks.

As part of a leaked 28–point peace plan, territorial agreement proposals were a big part, focusing the details on point 21. That section proposes that Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk be acknowledged as de facto Russian, including by the United States. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along the current line of contact, amounting to de facto recognition of that boundary. Russia would give up additional territories it holds outside these five regions. Ukrainian troops would withdraw from the remaining area of Donetsk they control, which would become a neutral, demilitarized buffer zone internationally recognized as Russian territory, with Russian forces barred from entering it.

During talks in Geneva, Ukrainian and US negotiators drafted a new 19–point plan that is less advantageous to Moscow. That plan would not oblige Kyiv to recognise Russia’s control of the regions Moscow has illegally annexed since 2014. More diplomacy is set to take place at an American resort that has become almost synonymous with Trump: Mar–a–Lago . Ukraine’s top aides, Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov, were expected to visit the Florida compound this weekend for discussions with US officials – before the former resigned. Speaking to The Atlantic, Yermak, who helped shape the new peace initiative, argued that relinquishing Ukrainian land is not an option any responsible leader could accept, saying that Zelensky would never endorse it.

‘As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory… The constitution prohibits this. Nobody can do that unless they want to go against the Ukrainian constitution and the Ukrainian people,’ Yermak said. Yermak, Zelensky’s top aide and close colleague, resigned from his post amid a corruption scandal Friday morning. Citizens widely regarded the unelected official’s considerable influence over Ukraine’s highest offices as inappropriate.

Ukrainian authorities investigating corruption say they have exposed a network funneling hefty bribes from the country’s defense and energy industries – sectors under intense public scrutiny amid the ongoing war and widespread blackouts that leave cities dark for hours each day. There’s still no confirmation from Zelensky on whether he will attend, or if anyone will replace Yermak, although he did mention he will hold ‘consultations’ with people who may lead the institution.

So far, Washington and European capitals have rejected Moscow’s claim to Crimea, the region Putin annexed in violation of international law in 2014. Despite international pressure, diplomatic sources tell the Daily Mail that the Kremlin’s relentless drive to solidify control over the contested regions underscores that Putin has shown no willingness to compromise. A leaked call, first reported by Bloomberg, revealed how Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, maneuvered to expedite Putin’s access to Trump before a critical White House meeting with Zelensky.

The transcript shows Witkoff racing to connect Putin with Trump ahead of the October 19 Oval Office talks. Witkoff also coached Ushakov on how Putin should approach Trump – suggesting the Russian leader praise him for the Gaza peace deal, which he later did. Two days before meeting Zelensky, Trump spoke with Putin. On that call, Putin warned that sending Tomahawks would harm US–Russia relations. Trump reversed course on the missiles. Bloomberg reported that the talks helped shape an initial 28–point peace proposal heavily favoring Russian interests, later reduced to 19 points.