He announced a new diplomatic tour of Europe to secure the support of allies, while the envoy of US President Donald Trump should soon travel to Moscow and inform the Kremlin of the results of the negotiations.
Intense diplomacy continued after the meeting of American and Ukrainian officials at the golf resort built by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Zelensky arrived in Paris for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron, and next he will travel to Ireland. The Ukrainian defense minister is going to Brussels, while Witkoff is traveling to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin.
Kiev and European allies want changes to the US peace plan, which, according to reports, respected Russian demands that Ukraine give up part of its territory and reduce its army. Kiev warns that this would mean capitulation and leave the country vulnerable to new aggression.
Zelenskiy confirmed that “certain progress has been made”, but that there is still a lot of work to be done. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the same thing, stating that the process is “delicate” and that the talks will continue this week.
The talks come as Ukraine faces an internal crisis and the biggest corruption scandal since the start of the war. After the search of the house, Zelenski’s chief of staff resigned, two ministers were dismissed, and one of the president’s former business partners was declared a suspect.
Trump expressed frustration at the slow progress, noting that “Ukraine has some serious minor problems,” but maintained that both sides want to end the war.
(Vijesti.ba)
