KYIV, Nov 26 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late Tuesday voiced his agreement to proceeding with the US-brokered settlement framework for ending the country’s devastating, four-year-long war with Russia. However, he stressed that this must directly involve US President Donald Trump for resolving all lingering disputes, with European partners at the table.
Trump’s 28-point initiative had caused much controversy over its alleged pro-Russian stance, with negotiators in both Washington and Kyiv attempting to mitigate their differences over the peace accord, with Kyiv having long maintained that it won’t be forced into any agreement which was geared towards its total submission to Moscow.
“Security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine, security decisions about Europe must include Europe,” he said. “When something is decided behind the back of a country or its people, there is always a high risk.”
In a speech delivered to the ‘coalition of willing’ allies, Zelensky urged European leaders to finalise a framework for deploying a “reassurance force” to Ukraine and to maintain long-term backing until Moscow showcased a genuine willingness towards reaching actual long-term peace.
“We firmly believe security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine; security decisions about Europe must include Europe,” he stated.
“That framework is on the table, and we’re ready to move forward together with the USA, with the personal engagement of President Trump,” Zelensky added.
Trump, who is noted to have a history of trying to boost negotiations by floating artificial deadlines – including one last week on Thursday – surprisingly softened his own position on Tuesday evening, regarding the document.
“The deadline for me is when it’s over,” he told reporters. “Everybody’s tired of fighting.” He further reiterated his initial stance, cautioning that the 28-point plan published last week should not be seen as any kind of concrete, finalised blueprint, but rather just an informal roadmap, calling the document “a map? a concept”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump posted that only “a few remaining points of disagreement” persisted.
He directed his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected in Kyiv this week for talks with Ukrainian officials.
“I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon – but ONLY when the deal to end this war is final or in its final stages,” Trump wrote.
A Ukrainian diplomat, highlighting the gravity of the problems posed by Russia’s demands, for Kyiv’s willing assent to making territorial concessions, cautioned that this demand could very well derail talks, and emerge as a potential deal breaker.
“These are really tough questions for us,” the diplomat said, underscoring the tensions, and sensitivity of the issue.
(UNI)
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