US refuses to budge in talks with Zelenskyy on peace deal — WSJ
Photo: US Special Representative Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
American officials held several hours of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. The US is pushing for a peace deal by the end of the year, but there are significant differences between the sides, especially regarding control over territories in Donbas, The Wall Street Journal reports.
According to the agency, negotiations between Ukraine and its Western partners have turned into a tug-of-war, even without Russia's participation at the negotiating table.
Washington insists on quick decisions, while Zelenskyy and his European supporters argue that there are still significant differences that need to be resolved.
Negotiations will continue on Monday, December 15, and several European leaders are expected to join them.
Among the key points of contention is Ukraine's resistance to Washington's call to withdraw its troops from part of eastern Donbas. European and Ukrainian officials insist on a clear definition of US actions in the event of Russia violating the peace agreement and attacking Ukraine again.
Both issues will be the focus of the talks in Berlin.
After the talks ended late last night, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff said that both sides had held in-depth discussions on the peace plan.
He says significant progress has been made, and they will meet tomorrow morning again.
A WSJ source familiar with the talks in Berlin described them as difficult, saying that the US side appears unwilling to compromise on its draft peace agreement.
US peace plan for Ukraine
The US, Ukraine, and Europe continue to work on the American peace plan.
The peace plan has already been slightly modified and reduced from 28 points to 20.
The most difficult issue at the moment is that of territory, specifically Donbas. Washington is demanding that it be handed over to Russia, while Ukraine rejects such proposals.
Recently, information emerged that the parties are discussing three key initiatives: a framework document, a security guarantee agreement, and a document defining the principles of post-war reconstruction.
According to WSJ sources, the White House intends to reach a peace agreement by the end of 2025.
Yesterday, December 15, a meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and the United States took place in Berlin. Tomorrow, the negotiations will continue.
The meeting in Berlin between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and delegations from the United States and Ukraine lasted more than five hours.
