 "Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the proposed changes to the 28-point peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying that the “list has become doable now”.
Ukraine has substantially amended the US-backed “peace plan” to end the war, stripping out several of Russia’s most maximalist demands, according to a Guardian report, citing people familiar with the negotiations.
“Today our delegation returned from Geneva after negotiations with the American side and European partners. Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. As of now, after Geneva, there are fewer points – no longer 28 – and many of the right elements have been taken into account in this framework,” Zelenskyy said.
The peace plan was substantially revised during negotiations on Sunday in Switzerland, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and reduced from 28 points to 19.
Quick Reads
View AllEuropean leaders warned on Monday that no agreement is close, noting that Kyiv and its European partners insist the current front line must serve as the basis for any territorial discussions.
What has Zelenskyy said?
While Zelenskyy welcomed the amendments made to the peace plan, he highlighted that there is still a “lot to do” to finalise a document that will lay down plans to end the war.
He said, “We appreciate that most of the world is ready to help us and that the American side is approaching this constructively. Practically the entire day yesterday was filled with meetings – and it was challenging, extremely thorough work.”
“Our team has reported on the new draft of steps, and this is indeed the right approach – I will discuss the sensitive issues with President Trump. Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace – this is our principle, a shared principle, and millions of Ukrainians are counting on, and deserve, a dignified peace. We will do everything for this, and we are ready to work as quickly as possible,” Zelenskyy added.
Was Ukraine coerced into accepting the peace plan?
Meanwhile, a senior official told AFP that the US pressed Ukraine to accept its proposals to end the war with Russia during talks in Geneva despite Kyiv’s protests that the plan conceded too much to Moscow.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington did not directly threaten to cut off aid if Kyiv rejected its proposals, but that Ukraine understood this was a distinct possibility.
Although US pressure on Ukraine eased during the meeting in Geneva, “overall pressure” remained, a senior official briefed on the talks said.
The source said they did not understand why Washington was hurrying towards a deal, but that “everyone” was for an end to the war if there was a real opportunity to do so.
With inputs from agencies