Ukraine Open to US-Backed Peace Framework
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that Kyiv is prepared to advance a United States-supported framework for ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian leader expressed willingness to discuss disputed points directly with US President Donald Trump while emphasizing the essential role of European allies in the negotiation process.
European Involvement Crucial for Security
During his address to the coalition of allied nations, Zelenskyy strongly advocated for European leaders to develop a comprehensive framework for deploying what he termed a "reassurance force" to Ukraine. He stressed the importance of continued international support for Kyiv as long as Moscow demonstrates no genuine intention to end its invasion.
"We firmly believe security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine, security decisions about Europe must include Europe," Zelenskyy declared in his speech. He warned that decisions made without involving the concerned nations and their people carry significant risks of failure.
Territorial Concessions Remain Major Sticking Point
While diplomatic efforts intensify, Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about being pressured into accepting an agreement largely favoring Russian terms, particularly regarding territorial concessions. A Ukrainian diplomat confirmed that territorial concessions remain a major obstacle in the negotiations, indicating that a final agreement is far from guaranteed despite progress on various specific issues.
"These are really tough questions for us," the diplomat acknowledged, highlighting the sensitive nature of the ongoing discussions between US and Ukrainian officials working to bridge their differences.
International Diplomacy Intensifies
President Trump expressed optimism about reaching a settlement during a White House event, stating "We're going to get there" when referring to the potential Ukraine deal, though he provided no specific details about the progress.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that any amended peace plan must reflect both the "spirit and letter" of the understanding reached between President Putin and President Trump during their Alaska summit. Lavrov cautioned that deviation from the Anchorage agreements would create a fundamentally different situation.
The diplomatic activity suggests the Trump administration's intensive efforts might be yielding results, though optimism remains tempered by Russia's insistence that any agreement must align with its core objectives. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's meetings with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi this week further underscore the ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed significant progress toward a peace agreement, noting that "tremendous progress" has been made in bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table. She described remaining issues as "delicate, but not insurmountable" details requiring further trilateral discussions.
