The main focus of the talks in Florida between the US and Ukrainian delegations was the issue of territories, RBC-Ukraine reported, citing its sources.
The talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Florida failed to reach a final agreement on the draft peace agreement. However, the Ukrainian delegation claims that progress has been made.
The talks are no longer focused so much on the framework that was agreed in Geneva, but on the remaining problematic issues. That is, we are not saying that we now have a 100% understanding of the final text, but this was another step forward, said a Ukrainian source familiar with the talks.
A lot of attention during the talks was paid to the issue of territories. The Americans were more in the role of a mediator. They conveyed to Ukraine the position of the Russian Federation, which requires the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas.
The Ukrainian side argued at the meeting why such an approach is not possible: due to constitutional restrictions, the opinion of Ukrainian society and the inconsistency with the real situation on the front. Therefore, Ukraine's position remains unchanged: the discussion of the territories should start from the current line of contact.
Ukraine's accession to NATO was also discussed at the negotiations. As is known, Russia wants to veto such a scenario.
Ukraine conveyed to the Americans its position on NATO membership, RBC-Ukraine reported. In particular, the Ukrainian delegation stated that the course for membership in the Alliance is enshrined in the Constitution and changing it in order to conclude a peace agreement would be a bad precedent. Another argument put forward was the impossibility of granting a veto right to any country's membership in NATO.