US politics live: Fury over Donald Trump’s proposed deal to end the war in Ukraine

Europe, having digested Donald Trump’s proposed peace terms between Russia and Ukraine, is accusing him of “betraying” the free world.

Welcome, once again, to our live coverage of US politics.

The terms of Donald Trump’s “final offer” to Ukraine, as he seeks a peace deal with Russia, have been revealed, and will be hard for the Ukrainians to accept.

A one-page document, presented to Ukrainian officials by the US this week, would classify the occupied Crimean Peninsula as “de jure” Russian territory. That’s something Ukraine has said, repeatedly, it will not countenance.

In addition to ceding Crimea, Ukraine would be required to accept “de facto” Russian control of almost all the territory it has stolen in its invasion, including most of Luhansk and swathes of Donetsk, Kherson and Zoperizhzhia.

The deal would also involve a promise, from Ukraine, that it will never become a member of NATO.

Meanwhile the US would lift the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia since it annexed Crimea in 2014, and would commit to greater economic cooperation with Russia in certain sectors, such as energy.

Today Mr Trump blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again, indicating he has run out of patience. You’ll recall that he repeatedly promised to end the war within 24 hours when he was running for the presidency last year.

Mr Trump said Crimea had been “lost years ago” and “is not even a point of discussion”.

“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War,” he said.

“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?

“The situation for Ukraine is dire. He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.

“I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, 5000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever.

“We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!”

Read on for more updates.

Originally published as US politics live: Fury over Donald Trump’s proposed deal to end the war in Ukraine