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.

Ahead of the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington on Monday, President Donald Trump said Ukraine should give up efforts for NATO membership and Russian-annexed Crimea.

The US president ruled out Ukraine’s joining of NATO and reclaiming Crimea as part of any peace agreement with Russia just hours before he’s due to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders for talks following his Alaskan summit with Putin on Friday.

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?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled he would agree to halt Russia’s war in Ukraine, but only under conditions that would force Kyiv to give up large areas of territory and recognise Moscow’s hold over Crimea,

Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine, claims Trump envoy - All eyes are now on Volodymyr Zelensky's crucial meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on Monday