Zelenskyy says Ukraine and US are split on Donbas, that's why he rejects Washington's proposal
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (president.gov.ua)
Talks on the US-backed peace initiative remain difficult and divided on key issues - above all on the future of Donbas, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a comment to Bloomberg.
Zelenskyy noted that negotiators have not reached a common vision regarding the future of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"There are visions of the US, Russia, and Ukraine - and we don't have a unified view on Donbas," the President said.
Ukraine, in particular, is insisting on a separate security-guarantee agreement with its Western partners, including the United States. These issues, as well as control over the eastern regions, are "sensitive" and require further discussion, Zelenskyy added.
His comments came after US President Donald Trump criticized him, saying he was "a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the proposal."
"There is one question I — and all Ukrainians — want to get an answer to: if Russia again starts the war, what will our partners do?" Zelenskyy said.
According to RBC-Ukraine, Zelenskyy has not yet seen the latest amendments to the peace plan. Due to eavesdropping concerns, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov will bring them from the US in person and explain the details of the talks.
US peace plan and Zelenskyy's 'week of diplomacy'
Zelenskyy announced the launch of a "week of diplomacy," during which Ukraine will hold a series of consultations with European leaders. Key topics will include security, strengthening defense capabilities — especially air defense — and securing long-term financial support for the country.
These meetings aim to align joint positions and coordinate actions with partners. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian delegation has already held another round of talks with the United States on the peace plan, after Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, discussed their proposals in Moscow with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
According to the Kremlin, the meeting focused only on general approaches and territorial issues, without a detailed analysis of the American initiatives.
Umerov and General Staff head Andrii Hnatov are now heading to London to brief Zelenskyy in person on the results of the talks. In the British capital, the President is scheduled to meet with European leaders before traveling on to Brussels.
