Zelensky to Engage Trump on "Sensitive Issues" of Ukraine Peace Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that critical "sensitive issues" within a proposed peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia are scheduled for direct discussion with US President Donald Trump. This pivotal revelation comes in the wake of recent high-level negotiations held in Geneva, where representatives from the United States and Ukraine diligently worked towards aligning their differing viewpoints on a comprehensive peace framework.
Progress Amidst Delicacy: A Refined Framework Emerges
President Zelensky underscored considerable advancements made during the diplomatic process. "As of now, after [talks in] Geneva, there are fewer points, no longer 28, and many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework," he conveyed in his nightly video address. He further elaborated on the collaborative effort, stating, "Our team has already reported today on the new draft of steps and this is truly the right approach. The sensitive issues, the most delicate points, I will discuss with President Trump." This indicates a streamlining of the initial proposals and the integration of mutually agreeable clauses.
Addressing Earlier Contentious Proposals
The imperative for a revised plan stemmed from strong objections raised by Kyiv concerning an earlier US proposal. That initial draft controversially suggested that Ukraine might need to relinquish its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions to Russia and substantially scale down its military forces—demands that Ukrainian authorities had unequivocally branded as "unacceptable." The ongoing discussions in Geneva aimed to rectify these contentious points and formulate a more equitable and viable pathway to peace.
Geneva Talks Pave Way for High-Level Dialogue
Over the course of Sunday's discussions in Geneva, both American and Ukrainian officials were committed to narrowing the existing gaps in their respective positions. A joint statement issued on Monday subsequently confirmed the successful drafting of a "refined peace framework." However, specific details regarding the updated provisions of this framework have not yet been publicly disclosed. The impending dialogue between President Zelensky and President Trump is therefore anticipated to be crucial in tackling the remaining unresolved aspects, ultimately seeking to forge a unified and sustainable strategy for de-escalation and a lasting resolution to the enduring conflict.