Trump wants fast agreement and could turn up pressure on Ukraine - Bloomberg
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Today, a meeting will take place at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Since the US leader intends to achieve a swift peace agreement, he is expected to pressure Ukraine, reports Bloomberg.
According to Bloomberg, Trump will meet with Zelenskyy and several European leaders to discuss the terms of a potential peace agreement.
This refers to the agreement he discussed with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. A source said that while the US will focus on the territorial concessions demanded by Russia, Kyiv will aim to secure possible security guarantees.
According to other sources, Trump told leaders during a weekend phone call that he is open to US participation in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
He also told allies that he wants to reach an agreement quickly and will urge Ukraine to agree to arrange a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting within the week.
Many Europeans, Bloomberg reports, consider this schedule aggressive, given how many issues remain unresolved.
Sources also say that Trump revealed fragments of his talks with Putin during discussions with allied leaders, though without providing specific details.
Territories in exchange for peace
Following the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, the US leader moved away from the idea of a mere ceasefire in Ukraine and is now pushing for a full peace agreement.
As explained by Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, the shift in position is linked to significant progress in US-Russia negotiations.
Media reports indicate that Putin is allegedly willing to halt the war, but with conditions. Specifically, Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, while Moscow is ready to stop fighting in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in exchange.
In addition, Russia is reportedly open to discussing the withdrawal of its troops from small areas in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Putin also has additional demands, including issues related to the status of the Russian language and more. For further details, see the article by RBC-Ukraine.
Witkoff announced yesterday that today’s White House meeting with Zelenskyy will discuss territorial concessions in favor of Russia.
Zelenskyy himself said yesterday that any territorial matters should only be discussed by the leaders of the countries during a trilateral meeting. According to him, Russia has yet to show signs of being ready for such talks.
He also stated that the starting point for territorial negotiations should be the current front line.
Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Putin is effectively proposing Ukraine’s capitulation. He added that today’s discussion with Trump would be tough.
