The Kremlin voiced its approval on Monday over a reported U.S. proposal to block Ukraine’s NATO membership — a stance that aligns with Russia’s long-standing geopolitical demands.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We have heard from Washington at various levels that Ukraine’s NATO membership is off the table. Naturally, this corresponds with our position and brings us satisfaction.”
The statement comes after General Keith Kellogg, a key envoy for former President Donald Trump, confirmed on Sunday that Ukraine’s NATO accession is “off the table.” Trump, who has previously linked U.S. support for Ukraine’s NATO bid to the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, appears to be steering diplomatic efforts toward a resolution.
Trump Pushes for Swift Peace Deal as Ceasefire Talks Stall
The U.S. is reportedly ramping up pressure to broker peace in Ukraine, with Trump’s team growing frustrated over the slow pace of negotiations. Trump has claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of assuming office, but fighting has continued, despite a symbolic Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Over the weekend, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the truce, with thousands of attacks reported. Ukraine’s air force stated that Russia launched three missiles targeting Kherson and Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, along with 96 Shahed drones across other regions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces carried out 96 assault operations, over 1,800 artillery strikes, and deployed hundreds of drones during the ceasefire period.
“Our response will mirror Russian actions. We answer silence with silence, and we defend ourselves against every strike,” Zelensky said.
US May Offer Recognition of Crimea as Part of Peace Package
In a major diplomatic development, U.S. media reports suggest that Trump’s administration is considering two significant concessions to Moscow: formally banning Ukraine from joining NATO and recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
When asked about the U.S. stance on Crimea, Peskov declined to comment. “Negotiations for a peaceful resolution should take place discreetly, not in public,” he told Reuters.
Late Sunday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform expressing hope for a peace deal by the end of the week. It marked his first public statement since Putin declared the ceasefire on Saturday. Just one day earlier, Trump had warned he might walk away from negotiations if no ceasefire was reached soon.
Ongoing Conflict Highlights Fragile State of Peace Efforts
Despite the temporary truce, the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains intense. Monday saw renewed airstrikes by Russian forces on Ukrainian settlements, underlining the volatile nature of the battlefield. The Biden administration has expressed support for extending the ceasefire, while Kyiv has reiterated its willingness to pause operations for 30 days.
As global focus sharpens on diplomatic solutions, the potential Ukraine NATO ban and possible U.S. recognition of Crimea signal a shift in America’s strategy to end the conflict — with implications for NATO, European security, and the future of U.S.-Russia relations.