Conflicting Ceasefire Proposals Emerge in Ukraine Conflict

Efforts to establish a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have been complicated by a series of conflicting proposals put forward by the United States, Russia, and European actors this month, Al Jazeera reports.

On April 17, the Trump administration presented Ukraine with a ceasefire plan, framing it as “the final offer from the United States to both sides.” However, details of this proposal, later revealed by Reuters, included controversial concessions that appear to have diverged from European positions. Specifically, the Trump proposal reportedly recognized Russia’s legal ownership of Crimea and its de facto control over four partially occupied provinces: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson.

Ukraine countered with its own proposal on April 23, reportedly receiving backing from European officials. However, reports indicate that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from a scheduled meeting to discuss the Ukrainian counter-proposal.

Adding another layer of complexity, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire, commencing on Monday, to commemorate Victory Day on May 9. Ukrainian leadeer Volodymyr Zelensky claimed this initiative was a manipulative tactic aimed at providing Putin with a period of silence for his Victory Day parade.

The conflicting proposals highlight the divergent perspectives and priorities of the key players involved in the Ukraine conflict. While Trump appeared to prioritize a swift end to hostilities, his proposed concessions, particularly regarding the recognition of Russian territorial gains, stand in contrast to the stance of European officials.

European Union external affairs chief Kaja Kallas has reiterated that Europe will not recognize violent annexations of land, aligning with the principles of the UN Charter. This position reflects the widespread international condemnation of Russia’s seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and its subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.