Ukraine may have to make 'painful concessions' for peace, Czech president says
Photo: Petr Pavel (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine will have to make "painful concessions" to end the war, and Kyiv is ready to take such a step, Czech President Petr Pavel said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Czech President emphasized that Ukraine has made significant efforts to reach an acceptable solution.
"I believe there are some painful concessions that Ukraine must make and is ready to make, provided this leads to peace. We must do everything possible to ensure that all the work done in preparing these documents is not wasted," Pavel said.
He also noted that the United States must play a key role in countering Russian aggression and added that the European Union cannot remain on the sidelines.
"Unfortunately, the sad fact is that without the United States, there will be no resolution to the war in Ukraine. It is painful for Europe that the US plays the key role. But this does not mean that Europe and European countries should stay out of these efforts," Pavel said.
Talks on a peace plan
Ukraine continues negotiations with European and American partners on a peace plan. Earlier today, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and the United States are not on the same side on some issues of a peace agreement.
Despite extensive work and what are described as full security guarantees for Ukraine, the most important and controversial issue of the territory remains unresolved, although Trump says a decision is close.
Zelenskyy recently said the peace plan is about 90% ready, while security guarantees for Ukraine are 100% complete.
In addition, a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris at the leaders’ level, after which Kyiv, Paris, and London signed a declaration of intent regarding a Western contingent on Ukrainian territory.
On January 7, Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev was seen in Paris, where, according to media reports, he was received at the US embassy. Axios reported that Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Dmitriev in Paris to discuss a US peace plan for Ukraine.
It was later reported that Witkoff and Kushner plan to visit Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy hopes to receive a response from Russia to a 20-point peace plan by the end of this month.
Next week, Kyiv’s G7 allies are expected to meet with Trump in Davos to secure his personal support on security guarantees for Ukraine after a ceasefire.
