The State Duma stated the importance of the Crimea issue in negotiations with Ukraine

Recognizing Crimea as part of Russia would be a positive, albeit forced, step on the part of Ukraine. This was stated by State Duma deputy Alexei Chepa on Monday, April 28. Without this, it is almost impossible to negotiate a peace agreement, he stressed.

"We remember that a few days ago we heard extremely harsh statements by the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, about the ownership of Crimea. Now, under pressure from US President Donald Trump, he is gradually changing his position. That's understandable. Without resolving the issue of Crimea, it will be extremely difficult to negotiate a peace agreement," the politician said in a conversation with Lenta.Ru .

The parliamentarian called the recognition of Crimea by Russia an important step. At the same time, he clarified that then it would be necessary to discuss the security of citizens living in this territory.

"For me, as for most Russians, it doesn't matter whether Zelensky recognizes Crimea or not. But this is an essential stage of the negotiation process. And then, step by step, Ukraine will have to accept conditions that guarantee the safety of the citizens of these territories, as well as security in Europe as a whole," concluded Chepa.

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Western leaders tried to change Trump's position on Ukraine

The day before, Trump expressed the opinion that Zelensky was ready to abandon his claims to Crimea, RT reports. He recalled that Crimea became Russian 12 years ago, under the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. 360.ru .

The American leader also clarified that Zelensky had been trying to secure additional arms supplies at a meeting in Rome, stressing that such requests had been made by Kiev for three years. Before making a decision on supplies, the American leader wants to look at Russia's actions.

At the same time, he noted that Zelensky behaved calmly during the meeting in the Vatican, according to the website. kp.ru .

Trump said on April 25 that Zelensky understood that Crimea would remain part of Russia. Also, according to the American leader, Ukraine is unlikely to ever join NATO, and "Ukraine's desire to join the alliance led to the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine."

According to Trump, Zelensky's statement made on April 23 about the refusal to recognize Crimea as the territory of the Russian Federation hinders the peaceful settlement of the conflict.