Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s peace negotiations with Moscow are on the path of progress, but may encounter roadblocks when it comes to ceding territory.
The Ukrainian leader had said recently that the peace talks, brokered by the US, are “quite solid”, with both sides agreeing on most points in the 20-point peace agenda.
However, despite indicating that a response on the negotiations may be expected soon, Zelenskyy said there has been persistent deadlock on certain issues, including the handing over of control of Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to Russia.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), the largest plant in Europe, is under Russian control and remains a bone of contention, with the US announcing that both Russia and Ukraine will own an equal stake in the enterprise, provided an agreement is reached.
The Ukrainian president described the decision regarding the future of Donbas to be “the most difficult and problematic point in the peace talks”.
Also Read: Ukraine finalising work on US peace plan: Zelenskyy
“We did not reach a consensus with the American side on the territory of the Donetsk region and on the ZNPP,” he said.
“But we have significantly brought most of the positions closer together. In principle, all other consents in this agreement have been found between them.”
With Kyiv rejecting Russia’s demand of ceding territories, US President Donald Trump insisted he views that as the only viable solution to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, on his part, has asked for potential demilitarised or free economic zones, possibly subject to a referendum, alongside strong security guarantees for Ukraine, especially after Washington promised to transform certain areas into free economic zones.
Ukraine also wants Russia to withdraw its forces from its territory as well as the deployment of an international force, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied.
While a response from the Russian side is awaited, negotiators hope to step up peace efforts to bring an end to the conflict that has continued since 2022.
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