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President Donald Trump is mulling over whether to recognize Crimea as Russian as part of any future deal to end the war in Ukraine, according to a report.
Two sources told Semafor that the administration is considering recognizing Crimea — the peninsula in the Black Sea that Russia invaded in 2014 ‚ as Russian territory and urging the United Nations to do the same.
"Such a request would align the Trump administration with the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long seen Crimea as his nation’s territory," the report said.
Trump is scheduled to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about a potential 30-day ceasefire.
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has resisted ceding any land as part of a deal with Russia. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that Zelensky would consider it. According to the New York Times report, Rubio said a willingness to cede territory was a must ahead of the meeting.
Trump told the press on Sunday that negotiators have already discussed “dividing up certain assets," the report said.
The White House refused to comment.