The United States has prompt making a “free economic zone” in parts of the japanese Donbas area from which Ukraine would withdraw below a negotiated peace with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Thursday.
In wide-ranging feedback to reporters, Zelensky stated that Kyiv has introduced the US with an up to date model of a peace plan — “not a single document, but a set of documents,” many of which should be finalized. He stated the Trump administration desires a “full understanding” of the standing of the plan by Christmas.
Questions of territory stay unresolved, the Ukrainian chief stated. “The Russians want the whole of the Donbas — but we, of course, do not accept this,” he defined. Russia has been combating in the Donbas area, which spans the Donetsk and Luhansk areas, since 2014. Moscow is now attempting to safe via US-mediated peace negotiations what it has been unable to win via pressure of arms.
“Our position is that it is fair to stand where we stand — that is, on the contact line,” Zelensky stated. “Therefore, there is a discussion between these different positions, and it has not yet been decided.”
As a compromise, Zelensky stated the US has mentioned making a “free economic zone” in the parts of the Donbas from which Ukrainian troops would withdraw. The Russians check with the territory below dialogue as a “demilitarized” zone, he added.
While this would possibly break the diplomatic deadlock, Zelensky stated, “serious” questions stay about who would handle the territory, and the way to make sure that troop withdrawals had been truthful and reciprocal.
“If someone withdraws from one side — as they want Ukrainians to do — why doesn’t the other side of the war withdraw the same distance in the other direction?” he requested. Russia also needs to should withdraw from land that it presently holds, not simply Ukraine, he prompt.
Zelensky additionally questioned who would police the “free economic zone.”
“If some troops have to leave and other troops remain where they are, what exactly will prevent these other troops — i.e. Russian troops — from going further? Or from infiltrating the ‘free economic zone’ under the guise of ‘civilians’ and taking control of it? This is all very serious,” he stated.
The Ukrainian chief cautioned that “it is not a fact that we, as Ukraine, will accept this — but when you talk to us about compromise, you have to offer a fair compromise.” He stated the query of territory would in the end be for “the people of Ukraine” to reply, both via elections or a referendum.
In separate feedback, Zelensky stated his delegates held “constructive” talks with the US negotiating staff, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, particular presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. NATO chief Mark Rutte additionally joined the talks, Zelensky stated.
A European official informed NCS that US, European and Ukrainian officers will convene this weekend in Paris for additional talks on the peace plan that Trump hopes can carry Russia’s almost four-year-old battle to an finish.
But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated it’s “up in the air” whether or not the Trump administration will ship a consultant to this weekend’s talks. She stated the president has grown “extremely frustrated with both sides of the war” and is “sick of meetings just for the sake of meeting.”
Zelensky informed reporters that the US desires the method to complete as quickly as potential. “I think they really wanted, and maybe still want, to have a full understanding of where we stand with this agreement by Christmas,” he stated.
Asked when a ceasefire would possibly start, Zelensky stated this may possible solely occur after the warring sides signal a framework settlement. While Ukraine has lengthy referred to as for a direct ceasefire as a check of Russia’s seriousness about peace, Zelensky conceded that “it is no secret that the Russians will not agree to a ceasefire if there is no agreement.”
After his conversations with the US delegates, Zelensky stated safety ensures stay essential for the following phases of the peace course of.
“We already had a negative experience with the Budapest Memorandum,” he stated. He referred to a 1994 settlement below which newly unbiased Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons parked on its territory after the collapse of the Soviet Union in change for Russia’s pledge to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Everyone remembers this, as well as the fact that Russia has repeatedly violated all its other commitments,” Zelensky stated. “Therefore, it is now important that this document on security guarantees provides specific answers to what concerns Ukrainians most: What actions will our partners take if Russia decides to renew its aggression.”