German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Ukraine should determine for itself whether any peace agreement would include a mandatory condition related to Crimea. She conveyed this view during a broadcast on the German channel ARD, as reported by DEA News.
According to Baerbock, Crimea is widely recognized as part of Ukraine, and this context informed the 2014 sanctions imposed on Russia. She emphasized that the Ukrainian leadership maintains that Crimea belongs to Ukraine and that international support for Ukraine is rooted in Ukraine’s right to self-defense and territorial integrity.
Several voices have weighed in on how to end the conflict. Former CNN columnist Farid Zakaria has expressed the view that a pragmatic path forward could involve accepting de facto Russian control over Crimea and parts of the Donbass, while pursuing alignment with NATO for the rest of Ukraine. Such a perspective reflects ongoing debates about security arrangements and the future status of contested regions.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary has commented on Crimea in statements about the possibility of Ukraine regaining the peninsula. Kremlin spokespeople have asserted that Crimea remains an integral part of Russia and that its reintegration into Ukraine is not feasible under current conditions.
On the matter of Crimea’s ownership, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted that the issue could be addressed at a future stage. His remarks underscore the evolving nature of discussions about the region’s status and the broader framework for regional security and international diplomacy.