The US continues intensive negotiations, trying to find a formula for ending the war that would be acceptable to both Kyiv and its allies. Ukraine emphasizes that no negotiations can take place at the cost of territories or security guarantees. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is advancing its own demands, demonstrating readiness for “dialogue” but simultaneously putting forward ultimatums.
Putin repeats the ultimatum on Ukraine and comments on the American plan
In Bishkek, Vladimir Putin again saidthat the fighting would supposedly stop only when the Ukrainian Armed Forces leave their current positions, adding: “They will not leave – we will achieve it by armed means.” He denied the existence of any draft peace agreement, calling the published documents “a set of questions for discussion.”
According to him, after the Geneva talks between the United States and Ukraine, it was decided to divide the 28 points of the American plan into four blocks, and Moscow allegedly considers some of these points acceptable. Putin also stated that Russia is “ready to record the absence of intentions” to attack Europe.
In this context, he confirmed that an American delegation would arrive in Moscow next week to continue the negotiations, where Vladimir Medinsky and representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry would participate from the Russian side. At the same time, he commented on Western media reports about the 28-point plan, which provides for significant concessions to Ukraine, including reducing the army and transferring additional territories.
According to media reports, the document also contained the idea of recognizing the occupation of part of Donbas in exchange for informal security guarantees, but Kyiv and its allies completely reject such conditions. All this rhetoric is accompanied by the Kremlin’s attempts to present itself as a “party open to dialogue,” despite the continued aggression.
US Ties Security Guarantees to Peace Deal – Politico
Politico reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made clear to European allies that security guarantees for Ukraine will only be provided after a peace deal is signed.
According to sources, this condition was included in the US proposals last week, and the issue of guarantees is being considered as a separate element from other points of the plan. Rubio said that President Trump will personally negotiate long-term guarantees and deterrence. This issue was also raised in Geneva, but without specific details and without further repetition during talks with France and Britain.
European diplomats add that Rubio also outlined a number of issues that the US wants to resolve after the deal is signed: they concern the territorial integrity of Ukraine and frozen Russian assets. Some diplomats also noted that Washington does not recognize itself as a “neutral mediator” because it supports Ukraine militarily and with sanctions.
The White House has not officially confirmed, but has not denied this logic, emphasizing only that any plan must contain security guarantees. State Department officials have emphasized that guarantees should be part of the future agreement, although specific details have not yet been disclosed.
Ukraine and the United States are preparing for a new round of negotiations, Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that at the end of the week the Ukrainian and American delegations will continue to work on agreeing on points formed after the meetings in Geneva.
He emphasized that now it is equally important to strengthen defense, hold positions on the front and, in parallel, work with partners on diplomatic opportunities. Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian team will be well prepared for the next meeting, and contacts with the United States and European allies continue on an ongoing basis. He thanked international partners for supporting sovereignty and emphasized that Ukraine remains resilient.
The president also said that important negotiations at the delegation level and personally by the head of state will take place next week. He stressed that Kyiv is working to ensure a sufficient level of defense support and create conditions for an effective dialogue on peace and security. Zelensky specifically noted the role of partners in other regions of the world who support Ukraine in countering the aggressor. His address emphasizes Kyiv’s desire to keep the negotiation process constructive and strengthen its own positions before further consultations.
Kremlin receives “basic parameters” of American plan and prepares negotiations
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, that the United States has handed over to Russia the key parameters of the peace plan agreed in Geneva between Kyiv and Washington. He said that negotiations will be held in Moscow next week, but did not specify who exactly should confirm future decisions – individual countries or international institutions.
Peskov stressed that Moscow does not want to discuss the document publicly, and all details should supposedly remain within the framework of closed negotiations. He also refused to specify Putin's words that the fighting would cease after the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrew from the positions, translating the explanation into "future contacts".
This statement was a continuation of the Kremlin’s rhetoric, which is trying to demonstrate control over the process and claims that the United States takes its position into account. However, Russia does not provide clear answers regarding the territories covered by Putin’s demands, including the captured areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The uncertainty of the position and the repetition of ultimatums are accompanied by talk of a possible modification of the plan with the participation of the United States, Ukraine and European countries.
The United States may offer Moscow “de facto” recognition of the occupied territories
The United States is allegedly preparing to recognize Russian control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions) in order to ensure the conclusion of an agreement to end the war.
According to The Telegraph, Donald Trump sent his peace envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow to directly convey this offer to Putin.
The plan to recognize territories, which violates established US diplomatic practice, is likely to move forward despite concerns from Ukraine’s European allies.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Americans are not concerned about Europe’s position. They say the Europeans can do whatever they want,” an informed source told the publication.
And later, the Russian president said that Washington’s legal recognition of Crimea, as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as Russian territory would be one of the key issues in negotiations over the US president’s peace plan.
Photo: texty.org.ua
Author: Danylo Pievchev