US no longer plans to press Ukraine to give up territory to Russia – FT
Photo: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
The United States no longer intends to insist that Ukraine agree to territorial concessions to Russia during negotiations, the Financial Times reports.
According to the newspaper, the US hopes to make progress during trilateral talks with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi next month. These would be the first such negotiations since February.
One of the main topics will be possible security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia after the war ends.
According to FT sources, the US had previously linked future security guarantees for Ukraine to territorial concessions. However, Washington has since signaled that it will not insist on Kyiv handing over territory at the negotiating table.
At the same time, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has yet to show any signs of being willing to soften his negotiating position.
Meanwhile, Washington and Moscow are discussing a number of potential economic agreements.
According to FT, the US has already struck a deal to import Russian diesel fuel, suspended new sanctions targeting Russian energy exports, and pressured Ukraine to stop drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.
The current discussions are based on proposals previously discussed by US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Putin’s special representative, Kirill Dmitriev. Dmitriev estimated the potential value of such projects at $14 trillion.
The negotiations had previously reached an impasse because Ukraine opposed Russia’s demand that it agree to territorial concessions as a precondition for talks.
“Dmitriev’s plan was to wait until the war was over, but time is ticking and the war isn't stopping, so they decided to push ahead now,” an FT source said.
Other ideas discussed by Washington and Moscow include selling Lukoil’s international assets to investors linked to the White House; Russian gas producer Novatek participating in an LNG project in Alaska; potentially resuming gas supplies to Europe through the surviving sections of the Nord Stream pipeline system; and easing sanctions on Russian potash fertilizers.
Another proposal would transfer control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to an American company, which would distribute the electricity it generates between Ukraine and Russia.
European diplomats oppose easing sanctions and striking major economic deals with Russia before the war ends. They also stress that decisions affecting the EU’s interests cannot be made without Europe’s involvement.
One European diplomat expressed doubt that economic incentives alone would be enough to persuade Putin to end the war.
“It’s not about money. It’s about humiliation and control,” the diplomat stressed.
Earlier, media reports said US President Donald Trump’s administration was trying to persuade Ukraine to accept a peace deal with Russia that could involve concessions over Donbas. In return, Washington was offering Kyiv potential economic benefits.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin continues to make territorial demands of Ukraine, invoking their shared history. Moscow’s claims are not limited to Donbas.
