"Nothing is decided until I approve it", said US President Donald Trump regarding the upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, scheduled for Sunday, December 28. The Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Florida, where he will hold talks with Trump on a possible end to the war in Ukraine.
Close to an agreement?
As reported by Reuters, Zelensky had earlier announced that the security agreement between Ukraine and the United States was “almost done“. According to him, the draft of a 20-point plan was 90 percent complete. The Ukrainian president also said that Washington had proposed a 15-year agreement containing guarantees for Ukraine's security, the term of which could be extended. Kiev, however, wants a longer-term commitment from the United States.
The new 20-point plan calls for a freeze on the current front line. Two key demands of Moscow – the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas and a legally binding refusal for Ukraine to join NATO – are not included.
In an interview with the American portal “Axios”, the Ukrainian president also stated his readiness to hold a referendum on the peace agreement, but only on condition that Russia agrees to a ceasefire for at least 60 days. The American media reports that US representatives have asked for a shorter period for the potential truce.
Donald Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting with Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where the two will hold talks. According to the American head of state, Zelensky will also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only that the Russian side “has agreed to continue the dialogue.”
What remains unresolved?
Two serious topics are to be discussed at tomorrow’s Ukraine-US meeting. First of all, “territorial issues.” Donald Trump’s administration is demanding that Ukraine hand over certain territories to Russia. Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that this is a “red line” for Kiev. In addition, the Ukrainian president has once again expressed his concerns that Moscow may refuse to negotiate at all. The Kremlin is demanding that Ukraine give up the remaining territory under its control in Donbas as a precondition for peace. Russian forces control most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk, the two regions that make up Donbas.
Volodymyr Zelensky commented before the meeting in Florida that “economic” issues will also be discussed. It is likely that this is some kind of trade deal between Ukraine and the US. Earlier this year, another meeting between the leaders of the two countries ended in a scandal when a consensus on economic cooperation was supposed to be reached. It did happen later.
What is Europe's role in the negotiations?
Before the meeting in the US, Zelensky said that "I would like the Europeans to also take part", but the arrangement for one-on-one talks with Trump was made too quickly for a larger meeting to be organized in which European leaders would also participate. "Certainly, in the near future we need to find a format in which not only Ukraine and the US are at the table, but also Europe", Zelensky said.
The European Union has repeatedly stated in recent months that peace talks in Europe should not be held without the representation of European nations. “We are coordinating our positions and everyone in Europe must be on the same side in terms of protecting our lives, independence and peace in Europe”, Zelensky wrote in X.
Russian attacks on Ukraine do not stop
While the Ukrainian head of state is preparing for peace talks, Russia does not stop attacking Ukraine. Last night, the country was subjected to heavy attacks with missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force reported attacks in the Chernihiv, Nikolaev, Kharkiv and Zhytomyr regions. Explosions and fires were reported in several places.
The capital Kiev was also hit. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported several explosions on “Telegram” and urged people to stay in shelters. Klitschko said five people were injured. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged.