Updated US peace plan improved, but key issues remain - Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the evening of Monday, November 24, that the Geneva talks had produced results. He emphasized that the peace plan includes "many right elements," but the final document still requires work, Zelenskyy stated.
"Today our delegation returned from Geneva after negotiations with the American side and European partners, and now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become workable," the head of state said.
He noted that the US peace plan no longer contains 28 points, and according to the president, "many right elements" have been taken into account in it.
"There is still a lot for all of us to work on — it is tough to produce the final document, and everything must be done properly. And we appreciate that most of the world is ready to help us, and that the American side is constructive," Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to him, he listened today to a briefing on the new draft of steps and added that he would discuss "sensitive things" with US President Donald Trump.
"Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace — this is our principle, a shared principle, and millions of Ukrainians expect and deserve a just peace. We will do everything for this, and we are ready to work as quickly as possible," the head of state stressed.
Zelenskyy noted that Russia is interested in "derailing this chance for an agreement" and continuing the war.
"We see what interests are intertwined and who is trying very hard to weaken our position — Ukraine's position — spreading disinformation and intimidating our people. We will counter every such attempt to derail the end of the war," the president said.
The head of state emphasized that the key framework for the negotiations is Ukraine's interests and the protection of Ukrainians.
US peace plan
On Sunday, November 23, Ukrainian and American officials met in Geneva to discuss the US peace plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the team of US President Donald Trump is beginning to hear Ukraine.
Marco Rubio said the meeting was very productive. According to the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Andriy Yermak, the meeting was perfect.
Today, November 24, the Financial Times wrote that the US peace plan had been cut by almost one-third. At present, the document contains 19 points instead of the original 28.
The updated version of the peace plan would not include a limit on the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, the provision on amnesty for crimes committed during the full-scale war in Ukraine would be removed.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said that particularly sensitive issues would be discussed personally by Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.
