High-level peace talks in London have broken down. The probable reason is uncertainty over the status of Crimea

If Ukraine and Russia do not agree to territorial concessions, the United States may withdraw from negotiations

The foreign ministers of Great Britain, the United States, France, Germany and Ukraine will not meet in London as part of previously planned peace talks, Sky News reports .

Instead, according to the publication, negotiations will take place at a lower level - between officials from five countries. At the same time, it is assumed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga will still meet with his British counterpart David Lammy.

In order not to miss new texts from “Layout”, subscribe to our telegram channel

The decline in the level of negotiations is explained by pressure from the United States

The head of the US State Department, Marco Rubio, was the first to cancel his trip to London. According to Axios , this comes after signs emerged in the last 24 hours that Ukraine intends to discuss a 30-day ceasefire at the meeting rather than Donald Trump's peace plan.

In turn, Sky News writes that the reason for the cancellation of Rubio’s trip was Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to one of Trump’s key proposals - to recognize Crimea as Russian.

“Ukraine does not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There's nothing to talk about here. This contradicts our Constitution,” Zelensky said the day before.

The US proposal to recognize Crimea as Russian was contained in a document presented last week at negotiations in Paris. In addition to the position on the peninsula, there were several more points with concessions from Ukraine. For example, recognition of Russian control over territories captured during the war, as well as a promise that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO .

Kiev does not agree with these proposals and considers them biased, Axios writes , citing sources. “The proposal is very clear about what tangible benefits Russia will receive, but it is only vague and general about what Ukraine will receive,” a source close to the Ukrainian government told the publication.

The US threatens to leave the negotiations if it does not see signs that the parties are ready for an agreement

“We need to determine very quickly - and I'm talking about a matter of days - whether this can be done within the next few weeks. If yes, we are participating. If not, then we have other priorities,” Marco Rubio said on April 17 after negotiations in Paris.

On the same day, Donald Trump said that he was expecting a response from Russia “this week” to his ceasefire proposal.

Vice President J.D. Vance said the U.S. has made a “very clear proposal” to Russia and Ukraine on a path to a peace agreement, “and it’s time for them to either say yes or the U.S. to withdraw from this process,” Bloomberg reports.

Vance said both Ukraine and Russia would have to give up some of the territory they claim. “There will have to be some territorial exchanges,” Vance said, adding that the border may not be a repeat of the front line.

In turn, the Russian permanent representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called talk about a truce “at this stage” unrealistic.

Photo: View of the Crimean Bridge. Anadolu Agency via Reuters Connect

Support “Vestka” - it’s important and safe →