US President Donald Trump said there was a “good chance” of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. He made the comments aboard Air Force One following recent talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators. However, Trump cautioned that ongoing corruption issues in Ukraine could hinder progress. A recent corruption probe led to the dismissal of key Ukrainian officials.
The corruption scandal has forced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sack his chief of staff and top negotiator. Despite this, Trump remained hopeful that a deal could be reached between Ukraine and Russia. He acknowledged Ukraine’s current difficulties but expressed confidence in the possibility of a resolution.
Ukrainian negotiators met with US officials in Florida on Sunday to discuss Washington’s plan for ending the war. Ukraine is facing pressure from both military and political fronts. The talks are aimed at finalizing a plan that could lead to peace, but the details remain unclear.
The US has proposed a plan to end the more-than-three-year conflict. An initial draft suggested Kyiv withdraw from the Donetsk region, and the US would recognize Donetsk, Crimea, and Lugansk as Russian. This plan was criticized by both Ukraine and its European allies, prompting revisions to the proposal.
The current contents of the US proposal are still uncertain. Ukrainian negotiators, led by Rustem Umerov, met US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to discuss the way forward. Despite the challenges, both sides continue to explore potential paths to peace, although significant hurdles remain.
