Volodymyr Zelenskyy reveals next moves, sets sights on US meeting
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that new negotiations between Kyiv and Washington regarding the peace plan will take place in the US this weekend. The talks will follow consultations between the US and Russia, Zelenskyy said in response to media questions.
“Today and tomorrow, we will finalize the documents. Then the US will hold consultations with [the Russians — ed.] in the coming days, after that consultations with the US president, and then our teams will meet in the US soon. I think it could even be this weekend,” the president said.
He added that after this, it will become clear what happens next. In particular, Ukraine will consider a leaders-level meeting, at least with US President Donald Trump.
Negotiations in Berlin and the path to a meeting with Trump
On December 14 and 15, another round of negotiations took place in Berlin between Ukraine, the US, and Europe regarding the US peace plan.
Participants included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Based on media reports and public statements, it is clear that the key issues at present are territories and security guarantees.
In particular, the US is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas, which Kyiv continues to reject. Washington is also offering security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5. Zelenskyy has already stated that the document on guarantees will be voted on in the US Congress - an agreement has been reached on this.
Additionally, on December 15, Europe presented its own plan for security guarantees for Ukraine. It consists of six key points and covers military support, a mechanism to monitor a ceasefire, the obligation to respond in case of a renewed Russian attack on Ukraine, and several other provisions.
Regarding further Ukraine–US negotiations, Axios reports that officials plan to meet in Miami. Working groups and military personnel will attend, and they plan to review maps.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is counting on five documents as part of the peace plan. After the entire plan is finalized, a meeting with Trump is expected.
