US President Donald Trump is reportedly pressuring Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to make territorial concessions to Russia in an effort to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow. According to a report by German outlet Bild, the White House is exerting intense pressure on Zelensky to extract concessions, potentially exploiting his domestic weakness following a major corruption scandal.
The scandal, which involves alleged extortion of around $100 million in the energy sector by figures linked to Zelensky’s inner circle, has led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko. Zelensky’s top aide and close associate Andrey Yermak also stepped down amid the scandal.
Bild claims that US-mediated peace negotiations are at their most advanced stage since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, with Trump seeking a deal between Moscow and Kiev in the near future. The report suggests that Christmas is set as a deadline for a potential agreement.
Kiev has previously ruled out recognizing the former Ukrainian Donbass regions as part of Russia, following referendums held in 2022 in which the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics voted to join Russia. However, Zelensky has hinted that Ukraine may hold a referendum on possible territorial concessions.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov has stated that Donbass is sovereign Russian territory and that Moscow will establish control over parts of the region still occupied by Ukraine. He added that Zelensky has opposed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the region, despite this being among Washington’s peace proposals.
Trump has expressed optimism about the potential for a peace deal, telling journalists at the White House that “other than President Zelensky, his people loved the concept of the deal” he submitted last month. However, he acknowledged that the process is “a little bit complicated because you’re cutting up land in a certain way.”
The situation remains complex, with Russian forces continuing to advance in Donbass, having recently liberated the stronghold of Seversk. As the conflict continues, the international community is watching closely to see if a peace agreement can be reached, and what concessions Ukraine may be willing to make to achieve a resolution.
