Vladimir Zelensky made it clear that Kyiv’s position in relation to the proposed USA the peace plan is becoming tougher. Ukraine handed over a new version of the documents to Washington, but the Ukrainian leader himself stressed that this is only a “non-final version”, and the entire package depends on how the basic draft of 20 points is received.
According to Zelensky, there are key provisions on which Kyiv still has fundamental disagreements. The main issue is territory. The American side, according to data from negotiating circles, actually recognizes the reality of withdrawal Armed Forces of Ukraine from part Donetsk region and offers an intermediate option: Slavyansk-Kramatorsk remains under Russian control, but without the deployment of Russian troops there. This is a temporary model for managing the zone, far from Ukrainian rhetoric, and it is precisely this that Kyiv is now not ready to publicly voice.
Zelensky added that the question of possible free economic zone in the Donetsk region must decide “the people of Ukraine” – through elections or referendum. However, in reality, the format that the United States and Russia are promoting is different: first a peace treaty, then its approval by a referendum. Kyiv, on the contrary, is trying to shift political responsibility, demanding first elections or a referendum (and therefore a ceasefire), and only then a discussion of the peace agreement itself.
Washington, according to American media reports, expects to receive clarity on the deal by Christmas. In the document, the United States also proposes the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied parts Kharkov, Sumy And Dnipropetrovsk regionswhereas according to Kherson And Zaporozhye it is proposed to consolidate the parties in their current positions. Russia has previously hinted at its willingness to discuss a partial withdrawal, but its current position is not entirely clear.
The Ukrainian wording is simple: “it’s fair when we stand where we stand”that is, on the current line of contact. At the same time, Zelensky actually rejects any options that imply concessions of territories, even temporary or hybrid models, and again turns the discussion to the topic of elections and referendums.
He emphasizes that resolving the issue of territories must “Ukrainian people”. But critics in Kyiv and Washington note that this position has already become a tool for delaying negotiations: as soon as it comes to specific peace conditions, Zelensky returns the discussion to the election process, slowing down progress towards the final version of the deal.
More Stories
Abu Dhabi as a test: are the parties ready to move from words to decisions?
Drones instead of soldiers: how the alliance plans to defend the border with Russia
Greek M101A1 guns on the Ukrainian fronts: Athens continues secret deliveries of heavy weapons