At a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after their meeting in Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that three issues in the peace plan proposed by the US for Ukraine are the most controversial.
"I will be honest, the territorial issue is the most difficult. The issue of financing reconstruction - in my opinion, without the presence of European partners, this is not simple and difficult, because the money is in Europe. I don't think this is very fair. And the issue of security guarantees, which is very important - specifically from the United States of America, specifically from Europe," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Ukrainska Pravda.
At a press conference after a meeting with President Macron in Paris, Zelensky also said that the Russian army, contrary to Moscow's claims, has not recently conducted any successful offensive operations at the front.
"Of course, Russia is making progress; certainly, Russia has conducted several offensive actions and operations. None of these operations have been successful," Zelensky noted, but acknowledged that the situation in Pokrovsk and other areas remains difficult.
"Heavy fighting is taking place in Pokrovsk and other areas. For example, our guys are having more success in the Kupyansk area. "Although Russia claims to have captured Kupyansk, we have driven almost everyone out of the city," the Ukrainian president noted.
Asked about people who could replace Andriy Yermak, the head of the presidential administration who was fired after searches, Zelensky said he needed to hold a series of consultations before appointing his successor.
"I will not go into details. I want to hold additional consultations. I planned them for my return to Ukraine. My choice depends on several things, such as the direction of governance, whether we will focus more on diplomacy or on other areas that are very important. Of course, we have worthy people in Ukraine. I think you will see this," Zelensky said, quoted by "Ukrainska Pravda".
Citing sources in the country's government, the publication reports that the most likely candidates to replace Yermak are Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fedorov, Defense Minister Denis Shmygal, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kirill Budanov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Military Affairs Pavlo Palisa.