Two sources told Reuters on Wednesday that Washington had signalled to Zelenskyy that Kyiv must accept the US-drafted framework to end the nearly-four-year-old war, which includes territorial concessions and curbs on Ukraine’s armed forces.
European countries are pushing back against the plan, which sources said would require Kyiv to give up more land and partially disarm, conditions long seen by Ukraine’s allies as tantamount to capitulation. Zelenskyy’s office did not comment directly on the content of the plan, which has not been published, but said the Ukrainian leader had “outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people”.
“We are ready now, as before, to work constructively with the American side, as well as with our partners in Europe and around the world, so that the outcome is peace,” it said in a statement.
“In the coming days, the President of Ukraine expects to discuss with Trump the existing diplomatic opportunities and the key points required to achieve peace.”
Trump and Zelenskyy clashed in front of television cameras in a disastrous meeting for the Ukrainian leader at the White House in March, but talks went more smoothly when he visited the White House this summer.
–SABC–
