Ukrainian President Zelensky is currently under increasing pressure from the United States to accept significant territorial losses and other concessions outlined in President Trump's peace plan, as reported by two Ukrainian officials to Axios. This situation is critical as it impacts Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The ongoing negotiations have raised concerns among Ukrainian officials, who believe that certain aspects of the current U.S. plan favor Moscow. They feel that the U.S. is pressuring Zelensky more than it is pushing Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, a U.S. official denied these claims, emphasizing that the U.S. has also encouraged Putin to ease his demands. This discrepancy highlights the complexities of international diplomacy amidst the conflict.
This week, Zelensky is engaging with some of Europe’s most powerful leaders. They are reassuring him that Ukraine does not need to concede to either Putin or Trump. These discussions are crucial as Europe seeks to present a united front in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The heart of the negotiations centers on two main issues: Russia's demand for Ukraine to relinquish the entire Donbas region, including areas not currently under Russian control, and Ukraine's insistence on receiving strong security guarantees from the U.S. to prevent future Russian aggression. A Ukrainian official expressed concern that the U.S. proposal had deteriorated from Ukraine’s perspective following a five-hour meeting between Trump’s advisers and Putin in the Kremlin.
During a recent two-hour call, Trump’s advisers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, appeared to be pushing for a quick affirmation from Zelensky regarding the U.S. plan. According to the Ukrainian official, it felt as though the U.S. was attempting to persuade them to accept Russia's full demands concerning the Donbas region.
The call with Zelensky took place after three days of intense discussions between U.S. officials and Zelensky's advisors in Miami. While some progress was noted, Ukrainian and U.S. officials confirmed that there had been no breakthroughs regarding territorial issues or security guarantees.
Trump claimed that Zelensky's team was enthusiastic about the U.S. plan, expressing disappointment that Zelensky had not yet reviewed it. However, Russian officials have signaled their objections to the proposal, indicating a complex landscape of international negotiations.
During the call, Zelensky stated that he had received the U.S. proposal just an hour before their discussion and had not yet read it. This revelation baffled U.S. officials, who noted that the updated proposal had been sent a day earlier. The Ukrainian official clarified that while some documents were provided ahead of time, others arrived just before the call.
The Ukrainian official mentioned that the latest U.S. proposal contained harsher terms than previous versions regarding territorial control and the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, leaving critical questions about security guarantees unanswered. They emphasized that crucial territorial discussions remain, including who controls which regions and how to ensure that both sides withdraw from the contact line to prevent ongoing conflict.
On Monday, Zelensky met with leaders from the U.K., France, and Germany in London to present a cohesive stance on Trump’s peace plan. French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “We have a lot of cards in our hands,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed skepticism about the details in the U.S. documents, reaffirming Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
The Trump administration perceives Zelensky's meeting in London as a potential stall tactic in the negotiations. Ukrainian officials feel that the U.S. is trying to isolate Zelensky from European leaders to exert more pressure on him. However, they stress that Zelensky cannot make significant decisions without consulting his European allies.
Zelensky indicated during a press briefing that Ukraine, alongside European powers, will present an updated counter-proposal to the U.S. on Tuesday. He firmly stated, “Russia insists that we give up territory. We do not want to give anything up. That is exactly what we are fighting for.” The discussions will also include security guarantees, but uncertainties remain regarding the U.S.'s role in enforcing these agreements and the expectations from European allies.
As this situation develops, the balance of power and the future of Ukraine’s territorial integrity remain at stake, making the outcomes of these negotiations crucial not just for Ukraine, but for the entire European landscape.