President Trump has said Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to give up Ukraine's claim to Crimea as part of a ceasefire deal to end his country's war with Russia.

Moscow has said it will not entertain negotiations over its territory in talks with the US and Ukraine. For Putin and his government, Crimea is Russian. It is an important strategic hub, hosting both naval and submarine bases crucial for the country’s presence in the Black Sea.

A peace proposal by the Trump administration that includes recognizing Russian authority over Crimea shocked Ukrainian officials.