Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about ongoing peace negotiations, stating on 22/12 that "things look very promising. More importantly, this is a shared achievement of both Ukraine and the US, indicating we are very close to a tangible outcome." He made these remarks at a press conference.
He revealed that Ukrainian negotiators are currently discussing a new 20-point plan proposed by the US. This plan underwent several weeks of revisions after its initial draft drew criticism from Ukraine and European nations for being overly favorable to Russia.
While acknowledging that "everything is not yet perfect", Zelensky affirmed, "we have obtained a plan."
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in The Hague, Netherlands, on 16/12. Photo: AFP |
The discussions also encompass security guarantees sought by Kyiv to prevent future military actions from Moscow once the conflict concludes, alongside an economic recovery plan for Ukraine.
President Zelensky added that "the basic part of all documents has been completed. Those are the core contents." However, he noted, "there are some issues that we are not ready for, and I am sure that the Russian side also has issues that they are not ready for."
In an evening video address, Zelensky emphasized that the key issue remains whether the US can elicit a response from Russia, and if Moscow is genuinely prepared to focus on non-military matters.
He stressed that sustained pressure on the Kremlin is vital for weakening Moscow's battlefield capabilities.
Zelensky stated, "lowering Russia's oil prices, imposing strong global sanctions, and other forms of continuous pressure are what can convince even the most hardline individual."
The Ukrainian negotiating team, led by senior official Rustem Umerov and joined by European representatives, recently held a series of meetings with US envoys, including one in Florida last weekend.
Separately, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy, also engaged in dialogue with US officials in Florida. This contrasts with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov's statement on 22/12 that "the peace negotiation process is currently quite slow."
Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, AFP)
