As the protracted conflict in Ukraine approaches its fourth anniversary, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified efforts to engage with U.S. leaders, urging a meeting with President Donald Trump to tackle critical issues within ongoing peace negotiations. With both Ukrainian and American negotiators nearing a consensus on a 20-point peace plan, the talks underscore a pivotal moment in international diplomacy as substantive discussions on territorial questions remain unresolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to address “sensitive issues” as negotiations progress towards a final peace plan nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In an embargoed briefing held on Tuesday, Zelenskyy informed reporters that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators had reached a consensus on several key aspects of the plan aimed at concluding the war, although contentious issues such as territorial control over Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland persist.
“We are ready for a meeting with the United States at the leaders’ level to address sensitive issues. Matters such as territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy emphasized, with comments made available following the press briefing. His statements came in the wake of extensive talks in Florida over the proposed 20-point framework, while Russia reviewed the draft. The Kremlin, as reported, stated that President Vladimir Putin had been briefed by envoy Kirill Dmitriev and was preparing a response.
The territorial implications of the conflict remain complex, with Kyiv seeking to modify Trump’s original peace plan, which had faced scrutiny for appearing to favor Kremlin interests by suggesting Ukraine relinquish more territory and limit its military forces. According to Zelenskyy, the updated draft significantly evolves from this initial version, allowing Ukraine to maintain its military strength of 800,000 during peacetime, supplemented by security guarantees from both the U.S. and European allies.
Despite strides made, unresolved differences regarding territorial control—particularly in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively referred to as the Donbas—pose substantial challenges. Zelenskyy classified this as the “most difficult point,” indicating that Ukraine proposes to halt fighting at the current frontlines, while Russia expects a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire eastern Donetsk area, which Ukraine currently retains around 25%.
Moreover, while the Kremlin remains staunch on its territorial demands, the U.S. has suggested a compromise that could transition disputed areas into free economic zones. Ukraine, however, insists that such arrangements would be contingent on the outcome of a referendum. The situation concerning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, situated within a Russian-controlled zone, also remains contentious, with Kyiv proposing to establish a small economic zone there.
Zelenskyy articulated: “We are insisting that if all regions are included, and if we remain where we are, we can reach an agreement. Without such a clause, the options are limited to the continuation of the conflict or negotiations over potential economic zones.”
Additionally, the draft details involve the withdrawal of Russian forces from regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv while proposing international troops to oversee the implementation along the contact lines. Citing a lack of trust in Russian compliance, Zelenskyy remarked on the need for international guarantees to ensure adherence to the peace agreement.
The negotiations still confront the pivotal territorial questions. According to Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, there is an evident lack of clarity on how these matters will be reconciled. Historical issues regarding ceasefire monitoring echo previous agreements like the Minsk accords, emphasizing that both Russia and Ukraine may need to make concessions to arrive at a consensus.
Another crucial aspect of the draft focuses on securing robust security guarantees resembling NATO’s Article 5, compelling partner nations to act if additional Russian aggression occurs. Zelenskyy noted that a separate bilateral agreement would clarify these security assurances, establishing monitoring mechanisms utilizing satellite technology and early warning systems.
Furthermore, the draft provisions call for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union by a specified date, stipulations for upcoming elections post-agreement, and expedited free trade deals with the U.S., alongside funds earmarked for reconstruction and investment. Zelenskyy affirmed that Ukraine would be empowered to set priorities for financial distributions within its controlled areas, signifying a critical aspect of the negotiations that demanded considerable attention.
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