Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said recent US-backed peace talks were “constructive, although not easy.” He spoke in his nightly video address. The discussions followed a call with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelenskiy emphasized that US representatives understand Ukraine’s core positions. He acknowledged the talks remain complex due to unresolved political and territorial issues.
Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet leaders of France, Britain, and Germany in London on Monday. Further consultations are planned in Brussels later this week. European leaders support step-by-step diplomacy tied to security guarantees and ongoing military aid. Meanwhile, US mediation emphasizes rapid deal-making, creating diplomatic tension. Moscow claims it is open to talks but accuses Kyiv and the West of stalling.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said negotiations are “in the last 10 metres” and a deal is “really close.” He noted that two main issues remain unresolved: the future status of Donbas and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Kellogg said resolving these issues would allow the rest of the agreement to progress smoothly. However, Russia demanded “radical changes” to US proposals during talks with President Putin.
Zelenskiy has repeatedly rejected surrendering Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk without a referendum. He warned ceding the territory could enable future Russian attacks. Almost all countries recognize Donbas as part of Ukraine, despite partial Russian occupation. Leaked US draft proposals last month alarmed Kyiv and Europe for appearing to concede key Russian demands. The proposals included limiting Ukraine’s military and accepting Russian control over one-fifth of the territory.
The human cost of the war remains high, with over two million Ukrainians and Russians killed or injured since February 2022. Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Luhansk, Crimea, and large parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskiy and allies emphasize negotiations remain fragile and sensitive to political shifts in Washington. Despite progress, all sides acknowledge peace talks are far from guaranteed.
