NATO faces diplomatic turmoil over US peace plan favoring Russia

The upcoming NATO summit in The Hague is now overshadowed by mounting transatlantic tensions, as US President Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea has sparked alarm among European allies and threatens to fracture Western unity on Ukraine.

Trump’s proposed peace deal, reportedly delivered to Kyiv as a non-negotiable offer, would see Washington formally acknowledge Moscow’s sovereignty over Crimea in exchange for a ceasefire—an unprecedented concession that contradicts long-standing NATO and EU policy. The proposal has been met with firm resistance from Ukraine and key European capitals, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flatly rejected the proposal earlier this week, reiterating that Kyiv will not recognize any Russian claim over occupied territory. While Ukraine is open to negotiations, officials made clear that this does not equate to surrender. “There will be no agreement that hands Russia the stronger foundations it needs to regroup and return with greater violence,” said Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

The US move has placed European leaders in a diplomatic bind: either align with a unilateral shift in US policy or uphold their commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty. "Crimea and future NATO membership aspirations are red lines for us," said one senior EU diplomat. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed the sentiment, declaring, “Crimea is Ukraine.”

European officials fear the US offer to Moscow could spark a transatlantic rupture and derail the NATO summit, which had been intended to focus on defence spending and alliance cohesion rather than Ukraine’s war. Now, officials warn the summit could be marred by open divisions over Crimea, Ukraine's NATO aspirations, and broader security commitments.

The Trump administration’s withdrawal from preparatory talks with Ukrainian and European officials in London further deepened concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s cancellation and the US special envoy’s continued engagement with the Kremlin have led to fears that Washington may abandon Ukraine entirely if Kyiv refuses to accept the deal.

NATO’s European members remain adamant that they will not recognize Crimea as Russian, even if the US proceeds unilaterally. But unity within the EU itself is under strain, as concerns mount over potential US demands to lift economic sanctions on Moscow—an issue that could trigger internal rifts.

As the Hague summit approaches, one Western diplomat warned, “The core issue of the summit is where we are on Ukraine.”

By Vafa Guliyeva