Negotiations for Peace: Europe Has Taken a Firm Stance on Ukraine.

The French presidential office stated that European countries consider respect for Ukraine's territorial integrity a prerequisite for any peace agreement to end the war initiated by Russia. This stance from France emerged in the wake of recent comments from the US Vice President regarding the necessity to 'give up part of the territory' to Ukraine and Russia.

Representatives of the French office insisted that Ukraine's territorial integrity and its European aspirations are important requirements for Europeans.

According to media reports, the United States is prepared to recognize Russia's control over Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow as part of a potential peace agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine does not recognize the Russian occupation of Crimea, which is internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.

Initially, it was expected that negotiations for a peaceful resolution at the level of foreign ministers of five states would take place in London on April 23. However, it later became known that the meetings are occurring at the level of senior officials.