Russia’s illegal seizure of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014 was quick and bloodless, and it sent Moscow’s relations with the West into a downward spiral unseen since the Cold War.

While Putin says Crimea has always been Russian, the peninsula has changed hands over the centuries, having been variously administered by the Russian Empire, warring factions during WWI and the Russian Civil War,

President Trump has outlined specific parameters for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue peace with Russia, including giving up Crimea and not pursuing NATO membership, ahead of a

Donald Trump said on his social media handle that Zelenskyy can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged accusations while also expressing a willingness to negotiate a ceasefire. Meanwhile, any talks of concessions regarding Crimea remain a non-starter for both.

Zelensky has rejected ceding any Ukrainian land. Russia currently controls roughly 20 per cent of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea.

In occupied Crimea and Russia's Zabaykalsky Krai, the sale of A-95 petrol has been restricted to businesses and organisations who have special fuel cards. Source: independent Amsterdam-based news outlet The Moscow Times citing local media outlets Details: Residents of Crimea complain that petrol has disappeared from most filling stations,

President Donald Trump said Ukraine won't get back Crimea during negotiations with Russia to end the war, but what is Crimea and why is it so important?