As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to grind on, President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a controversial proposal: recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of a broader strategy to bring the conflict to a close.
This potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, which would mark a significant departure from the stance of previous administrations, has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, analysts, and international observers.
According to a report from Yahoo News on March 17, 2025, the Trump administration is considering this move as a bargaining chip in future negotiations to end Moscow’s war on Kyiv.
Two sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that recognizing Crimea—annexed by Russia in 2014 following a widely criticized referendum—could be part of a deal to halt the fighting.
The article notes that Trump has long hinted at such a possibility, dating back to his 2016 presidential campaign when he suggested he might “look at” recognizing Crimea as Russian.
In a 2018 interview with ABC News, Trump remarked, “The people of Crimea, from what I’ve heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were,” a statement that raised eyebrows at the time.
Semafor, in a piece published on March 17, 2025, corroborated these claims, reporting that administration officials are actively discussing the idea.
The outlet highlighted that such a policy would align the United States with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s longstanding position that Crimea is an integral part of Russia.
Additionally, there have been talks of urging the United Nations to follow suit, a move that would further legitimize Russia’s territorial claims on the global stage.
The Telegraph, in an article dated March 17, 2025, added that Trump’s consideration comes ahead of a potential phone call with Putin, signaling that the president may be preparing to leverage this concession in direct talks.
This follows Trump’s campaign rhetoric, where he repeatedly claimed he could end the war swiftly—potentially within “24 hours,” as he told Fox News in 2024—by pressuring both sides to compromise.
The Washington Post reported last April that Trump had privately floated the idea of Ukraine ceding territory, including Crimea, to achieve peace.
National security advisor Mike Waltz lent credence to this approach in a Sunday interview, suggesting that expecting Ukraine to reclaim all its territory, including Crimea, might be unrealistic.
“Are we going to drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil, including Crimea?” Waltz asked, hinting at a pragmatic stance within Trump’s inner circle.
However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism. Raw Story, in a March 17, 2025, report, noted that critics view this as a capitulation to Putin, arguing that it undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and rewards Russia’s aggression.
Posts on X reflect a divided public sentiment, with some users decrying the move as a betrayal of democratic principles, while others see it as a practical step to end a protracted conflict.
The idea is not without precedent in Trump’s playbook. During his first term, he frequently expressed admiration for Putin and questioned the U.S. commitment to defending Ukraine.
Yet, turning this rhetoric into policy would face significant hurdles, including opposition from Congress and NATO allies, who have consistently condemned Russia’s annexation of Crimea as illegal under international law.
