EU will never recognize Russian occupation of Crimea — Kallas

She made the statement in an interview with AFP, Barron's reports.

The diplomat emphasized that the European Union will never recognize Crimea as Russian, stating: "Crimea is Ukraine. It means a lot for the ones who are occupied that others don't recognise this as Russian."

Kallas warned that the United States would make a mistake by considering the recognition of occupied Crimea as Russian territory as part of any agreement.

"Then Russia clearly gets what they want," she emphasized.

Kallas expressed concern that Trump might distance himself from the war in Ukraine, while still seeking to maintain "deals and business as usual" with Moscow.

• On April 22, the Financial Times reported, citing its own sources, that Russian leader Vladimir Putin told U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff that Russia was ready to freeze the front line and give up its claims to control four regions of Ukraine.