US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s latest peace proposal to end the conflict with Moscow. In an interview with Politico, Trump stated that Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” indicating that discussions could only move forward with his blessing. This comes as Trump is expected to hold talks with Zelensky in Florida.
Zelensky’s 20-point peace framework, presented earlier this week, includes a freeze of the frontline in Russia’s Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions, as well as Moscow’s withdrawal from several Ukrainian regions. The plan also envisages “Article 5-like” security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European states to Kiev, and an 800,000-strong Ukrainian army backed by NATO members.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov commented that Zelensky’s plan is “radically different” from the 27-point proposal that Russia was working on with the US side. The initial US-drafted 28-point version, which leaked to the media in November, required Kiev to relinquish parts of Russia’s Donbass still under Ukrainian control, pledge not to join NATO, and cut the size of its armed forces to 600,000.
Moscow has stated that a sustainable settlement is only possible if Ukraine recognizes new territorial realities and commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification. Ukraine’s backers in the EU have signaled that they would be opposed to any major concessions from Kiev. The US proposal has been seen as a potential basis for future negotiations, but the conflicting demands from all parties involved make a resolution challenging.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky is expected to be crucial in determining the next steps in the peace process. With the US playing a significant role in the conflict, Trump’s approval is essential for any progress. The international community is watching the developments closely, as a peaceful resolution to the conflict is in the interest of all parties involved. The outcome of the meeting will likely have significant implications for the region and the global community.
