Ukrainian and US officials will soon meet in Switzerland to discuss a US plan to end the war with Russia, Kiev said on Saturday, as Ukraine seeks to amend the draft to accommodate some of Moscow’s hard-line demands.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine less than a week to accept a 28-point plan to end the nearly four-year war, which would require the occupied country to cede territory, reduce its military and commit to never joining NATO.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s European allies, who did not participate in the drafting of the American proposal, said that the plan needs “additional coordination”, while at the G20 summit in South Africa they are trying to prepare a counter-proposal that would strengthen Kiev’s position.
– In the coming days, consultations will be held with partners on the necessary steps to end the war – said President Volodymyr Zelenski, after signing the decree appointing a team for negotiations, headed by chief adviser Andrije Jermak.
– Our representatives know how to protect the national interests of Ukraine and what is needed to prevent a third Russian invasion – he added.
Officials from France, Britain and Germany will join the talks on Sunday morning in Geneva, sources at the G20 summit said.
Rustum Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council and a member of the negotiating team, previously also mentioned Switzerland as a location for the talks. He said that this is a “new phase of dialogue” that needs to align visions on the next steps. Umerov previously led negotiations with Russia in Turkey, which resulted mainly in exchanges of prisoners and remains.
Zelensky’s decree suggests that “representatives of the Russian Federation” will also participate in the talks. Moscow has not yet confirmed this.
In his address on Friday, Zelensky said that Ukraine is facing one of the most difficult moments in its history and announced that he will propose his alternatives to the American plan.
– The pressure on Ukraine is one of the greatest. Perhaps we are facing a difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner – he said, referring to the possible disruption of relations with Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US proposal could “lay the groundwork” for a final peace deal, but threatened further conquests if Ukraine refused to negotiate.
The Russian army, more numerous and better equipped, is slowly advancing along the long front line. At the same time, Ukrainians are facing one of the most difficult winters since the start of the war, following brutal Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
This is happening at the moment when a major anti-corruption investigation is unraveling in Kyiv, which exposed abuses in the energy sector and caused a strong public revolt.
(Vijesti.ba)
