The publication The Guardian reports that European capitals are firmly against any US initiatives to recognize Crimea as part of Russia or to pressure the Ukrainian government into compliance. Some European diplomats express concerns that disputes over this issue could undermine transatlantic security and complicate the NATO summit scheduled for late June.
Source: "European Truth" referencing The Guardian
The article states that the Trump administration has proposed an agreement to Kyiv with terms favorable to Moscow, including the recognition of Crimea as Russian.
However, Western officials assure that European capitals will remain committed to their stance of not recognizing anything that threatens Ukraine's sovereignty.
For Europeans, the idea of recognizing the annexation of Crimea is unacceptable as it could dismantle the order that has ensured peace on the continent. "Crimea and Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership are red lines for us. We cannot deviate from them," said an unnamed EU official.
According to a European high-ranking official, the Trump administration has already been informed that European capitals cannot recognize Crimea as Russian. The largest NATO countries should "dissuade" Washington from unilateral actions, the official added.
The status of Crimea could lead to a serious diplomatic crisis within NATO, the publication notes. Prior to the US proposal, NATO representatives attempted to downplay internal disagreements regarding Ukraine, insisting that the upcoming summit in The Hague would focus on defense spending, not on war.
However, Trump's proposed agreement and the possibility of the US withdrawing from negotiations could create rifts among NATO leaders. "The main issue of the summit is our stance on Ukraine," a Western official stated.
Similar disagreements are likely to deepen within the EU, especially regarding economic sanctions imposed against Russia if Washington decides to lift its restrictions.
"The situation looks very concerning," said an EU official. He noted that any US action to recognize Crimea as part of Russia or pressure European capitals to ease sanctions "would destroy EU unity."