Washington's proposal What is being considered to end war?

The contours of the White House's "final" peace proposal to halt the Russian invasion of Ukraine have come into focus with proposals to freeze the frontlines in exchange for terms that critics have termed a surrender to Russian interests in the conflict.

- Andrew Roth, Pjotr Sauer

Three people with knowledge of the talks have told the Guardian that Vladimir Putin had signaled a readiness to in effect freeze the frontlines of the conflict in exchange for numerous concessions, including US recognition of Russian control of Crimea and considerable US sanctions relief.

The Financial Times first reported the proposal on Tuesday.

The US vice-president, JD Vance, yesterday confirmed that the US would seek to "freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today". Some territory could change hands, he said.

"The current lines, or somewhere close to them, is where you're ultimately... going to draw the new lines in the conflict," he said. "Now, of course, that means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own."