The United States’ peace plan, backed by President Donald Trump and being negotiated with Russia and Ukraine, is “good” for both sides, the White House said, dismissing concerns that it was too accommodating to Moscow’s demands.
– The President’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been “quietly” working on the plan for about a month – said Caroline Leavitt’s spokesperson.
– The plan is ongoing and in the phase of changes, but the president supports it. It is a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine, and we believe it could be acceptable to both sides – said Leavitt at the briefing.
– We are working hard to finalize it – she added, stating that Washington has “good talks” with Ukraine and Russia in order to understand what both countries would be ready to accept.
This was the first official White House confirmation of the draft plan that Ukrainian officials previously said Washington had presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Details provided to AFP by a source familiar with the plan showed the proposal included many of Moscow’s maximalist demands to end the war, including surrendering territory and reducing Ukraine’s armed forces.
Leavitt would not elaborate on the proposal, but denied that it would be unfavorable to Ukraine.
She said that Rubio and Witkoff met with Ukrainian representatives last week.
She added that Trump has become “increasingly frustrated” with both sides, but remains committed to ending the war. The Republican president has promised to end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office in January.
– I know there is a lot of criticism and doubt, but I would like to remind you of the historic success that the president and his team achieved in the Middle East – she said, referring to the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
– We believe that something similar is possible between Russia and Ukraine, and we hope to achieve that, which we are working on very intensively – she concluded.
(Vijesti.ba)
