Volodymyr Zelensky says the United States has proposed that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern part of Donetsk and establish a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d in the areas it currently controls.<\/p>\n
Zelensky noted that land issues and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remained the two main unresolved obstacles in the proposed peace plan for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Speaking briefly to journalists, Zelensky described Washington\u2019s desire to end the conflict quickly, the natural complexity of ongoing negotiations, and his belief that Russia has no intention of ending the war.<\/p>\n
He said Ukraine recently sent the United States a 20-point proposal along with separate documents on security guarantees and the framework for rebuilding Ukraine.<\/p>\n
This came after weeks of high-level diplomatic activity that resulted in several peace plans being drafted, revised, and redrafted by the United States, Ukraine, Russia, and European leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last round was the hardest. Everything can fall apart for many reasons,\u201d Zelensky said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Russia is demanding that Ukraine relinquish control over about 30% of eastern Donetsk that Kyiv still holds \u2014 a position Ukraine rejects on principle, fearing it would allow Moscow to gain a launching point for future attacks.<\/p>\n
According to Zelensky, the United States is now working on a plan that would see Ukrainian forces withdraw from part of Donetsk, with Russian forces committing not to advance into the vacated land. He added that this area would become a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d or a \u201cmilitarily controlled zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he emphasized that it would not be fair to withdraw unilaterally, insisting that Russia must pull back by an equal distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would stop [Russia] from advancing or entering in civilian disguise?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Zelensky said these were \u201cvery serious concerns,\u201d adding that Ukraine might not accept the proposal at all \u2014 though he left the door open to holding elections or a referendum to let Ukrainians decide.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that the conflict\u2019s trajectory would shape negotiation outcomes: \u201cIt depends greatly on our armed forces \u2014 what they can hold, where they can stop the enemy, and what they can destroy. This affects everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also identified the administration of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as another major sticking point.<\/p>\n
The plant \u2014 the largest in Europe \u2014 lies on the front line and has been under Russian control since March 2022.<\/p>\n
Zelensky mentioned a potential solution in which Russian forces would withdraw and control of the plant would be transferred to Kyiv, with U.S. participation \u2014 though he noted the details remained unclear and Russia would likely reject the idea.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Donald Trump appears increasingly impatient with the conflict\u2019s complexities, and Zelensky and his Ukrainian partners fear that Washington may eventually impose a Russia-favored settlement on Ukraine.<\/p>\n
At a press conference, Zelensky stressed that the U.S. desire is for a \u201cfaster end\u201d to the war, with no fixed timeline for reaching an agreement.<\/p>\n
Ukraine, which faces near-daily large-scale air attacks, is pushing for de-escalation and demanding an immediate ceasefire before a more detailed agreement is reached.<\/p>\n
But Russia stands to benefit most from delaying a ceasefire, as its forces continue to make small but consistent gains on the front line while its attacks wear down the Ukrainian population.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter several rounds of negotiations with Russia, the Americans now seem closer to Russia\u2019s viewpoint,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n
Kremlin officials have made more pessimistic statements than their European, American, and Ukrainian counterparts.<\/p>\n
Still, Russia has tried to project an image of ongoing communication with Washington over the terms of a potential peace deal.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump\u2019s attempt to pursue an agreement, citing a recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Stephen Wittkoff at the Kremlin, which he said helped \u201cclear away misunderstandings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lavrov also hinted at questions over providing Ukraine with security guarantees that would involve foreign troops operating in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis returns us to the flawed logic of Zelensky\u2019s so-called peace plan,\u201d Lavrov warned, noting that the U.S. had \u201crecently\u201d sent separate proposals on collective security and that Russia had outlined the legal guarantees it sought regarding NATO and EU systems not targeting Russia.<\/p>\n
But neither Ukraine nor Europe can take Moscow\u2019s promises at face value, since Russia has repeatedly violated ceasefires and de-escalation agreements in the past.<\/p>\n
European and Ukrainian officials want U.S. involvement in providing security guarantees to prevent Ukraine from becoming vulnerable to renewed attacks.<\/p>\n
Zelensky said he had received a draft U.S. proposal on security guarantees, though it remained under development \u2014 suggesting it did not yet fully address Kyiv\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States does not want Ukraine in NATO. They say this clearly\u2026 So I believe they have no issue discussing NATO with the Russians,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n
He added that Ukraine must proceed \u201ccarefully,\u201d noting: \u201cWe don\u2019t know what other agreements the United States may have reached with Russia. We will learn in due time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zelensky acknowledged that U.S. support for Kyiv might one day end \u2014 whether through limits on arms transfers via third countries or reduced intelligence sharing.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the difficulty of the talks and his doubts about Russia\u2019s sincerity, Zelensky told reporters: \u201cNo one knows what could happen the day after tomorrow\u2026 We don\u2019t know how these negotiations will end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reuters \u2014 Volodymyr Zelensky<\/p>\n
A map of Ukraine’s south-eastern territories under Russian occupation<\/p>\n
United News Network \u2013 UNN Arabic
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