Trump sets deadline for Zelenskyy to respond to US peace deal - FT
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Washington wants Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to respond to the proposed peace deal within a few days, according to the Financial Times.
According to the outlet, this demand was conveyed to Zelenskyy by the US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader’s son-in-law Jared Kushner during a phone call on Saturday, December 6. The Americans were pushing the Ukrainian leader for a quick decision.
FT sources reported that the US deal envisions Ukraine conceding territory in exchange for unspecified security guarantees from Washington.
An unnamed source told journalists that Trump hoped for a peace deal "by Christmas."
According to unnamed officials, Zelenskyy told Witkoff and Kushner that he needed time to consult with European allies before responding to Washington’s proposal. Kyiv is concerned that such an offer could divide Western unity.
One Western official, speaking to FT, described Ukraine’s situation as being between "demands on territory they can’t accept and a US side they can’t reject."
Ukraine will not cede its territory to Russia
Initially, the US peace plan envisaged that Ukraine would have to hand over the entire Donbas to Russian control.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated yesterday, December 8, there is still no agreement between Kyiv and Washington regarding the Donbas issue.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine has no right to give its territory to Russia. This is prohibited by the Constitution and international law.
At the same time, according to the Ukrainian president, the most sensitive issues also remain the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, finances, and security guarantees.
