The European Union is looking for “creative” formulas for the rapid integration of Ukraine, even without a full set of rights at the start. In the US, contradictory signals are being heard: Donald Trump shifts responsibility for the slowdown of peace to Kyiv, while part of the American establishment is publicly siding with Ukraine. Against this background, Ukrainian diplomacy is trying to maintain a balance between negotiations, security guarantees and the reality of the war that does not stop.
Trump said that Ukraine, not Russia, is slowing down peace talks
US President Donald Trump emphasized in a comment to the Reuters that it is Ukraine, not Russia, that is delaying the conclusion of a potential peace agreement. He said that he believes Putin is ready to end the war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to him, is less ready for compromises.
“I think he is ready for a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready for a deal,” Trump said, answering journalists’ questions. When asked why the talks have not yet yielded results, he briefly replied: “Zelensky.”
These statements contrast sharply with the position of Ukraine’s European allies, who believe that it is Moscow that is not demonstrating real readiness for peace. As part of the negotiations, the United States is pressuring Kyiv to agree to the loss of part of Donbas, which the Ukrainian side publicly rejects as unconstitutional.
The negotiations from the US side are being led by the president’s special representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump himself, commenting on Zelensky’s position, limited himself to the phrase: “I just think it’s hard for him to get there.”
Zelensky responded to Trump: “Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly responded to US President Donald Trump’s statements that Ukraine is allegedly hindering the peace process. He statedthat Ukraine “has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace.” Zelensky said these words after a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, with whom he discussed diplomatic interaction with Washington. He emphasized that it is the Russian attacks that indicate Moscow’s unwillingness to negotiate.
Zelensky noted: “It is the Russian missiles, the Russian “shaheeds” and the attempts to destroy Ukraine that are clear evidence that Russia is not interested in any agreements.”
The Kremlin supported Trump’s position: Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow considers Zelensky guilty of delaying the negotiations.
Despite this, the Ukrainian president promised to intensify diplomatic efforts, emphasizing the need to maintain international unity.
Ukrainian delegation leaves for the United States for negotiations on security guarantees
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported, that a Ukrainian delegation is leaving for the United States for negotiations on security guarantees and a post-war reconstruction package. According to Zelensky, Ukraine has completed its part of the work on the documents on the "prosperity package" and security guarantees, which should prevent repeated aggression from Russia. The Ukrainian side hopes that these documents can be signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
At the same time, Kyiv expects the United States to clearly understand Moscow's position on American diplomatic initiatives. Zelensky stressed that Russia is deliberately delaying the peace process by continuing attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
"Each of these attacks on our energy sector and cities clearly shows Russia's true interests," he wrote.
Republican Senator Wicker spoke out strongly in defense of Ukraine
The chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Republican Roger Wicker, was has spoken out with a sharp speech in support of Ukraine, the day after US President Donald Trump's statements that Kyiv is the one holding back the peace process. In his speech, the senator stressed that the most dangerous event in the world today is Putin’s war against Ukraine and the West.
“For the past year, Putin has been mocking the peace process, constantly intensifying his attacks,” he said, adding that the Russian leader is only interested in peace in words.
The senator also stressed that Ukraine cannot be forced to cede territory, and the United States must play a key role in the security guarantees that the Senate must ratify. He called Putin a “KGB agent,” a “war criminal,” and a “liar”:
“When Putin smiles at American negotiators and pretends to be our friend, we have no reason to smile back at him.”
Wicker also called for increased supplies of air defense systems and long-range weapons to Ukraine, emphasizing that this is what can make Russia’s military goals unattainable.
European Commission considers model of “limited” Ukraine’s accession to EU
The European Commission is considering the idea of Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union without granting a full set of rights in the first stage. This is reported by Reuters.
This is about the possibility of political accession of Ukraine with the subsequent gradual acquisition of rights, including the right to vote, depending on the progress of reforms. This approach is seen as a potential element of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia and as a signal to Ukrainian society about the irreversibility of the European course.
Ukraine received the status of candidate for accession to the EU in June 2022, and negotiations were opened in late 2023. At the same time, Brussels recognizes that full membership in 2027, which was included in the 20-point peace plan of the US, Ukraine and the EU, is unrealistic due to the complexity of the procedures and the need for ratification by all 27 member states. One EU official said: “We have to admit that we live in a completely different reality than when the accession rules were written.”
Diplomats emphasize that limited membership could be a compromise that would make it easier for Ukrainian society to perceive the possible difficult conditions of peace.
Photo: ukr.lsm.lv
Author: Danylo Pievchev