Trump assures that an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow is « very close » but attacks Zelensky – Liberation

President Donald Trump assured this Wednesday, April 23, that a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine was « Very close »however accusing his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky of complicating the talks with his « Incendiary remarks » On Crimea. This new release against Volodymyr Zelensky comes at a time when discussions between US, Ukrainian and European officials were held in London.

On his social social platform, Donald Trump, who had previously qualified The Ukrainian President of « dictator »got attached to him again accusing him of hindering the current talks. He notably criticized him for having repeated that Ukraine would not recognize the sovereignty of Russia on the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014. « He can have peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country »Donald Trump said. « We are very close to an agreement but this man who does not have the cards in hand must now conclude »he added.

Earlier Wednesday, US vice-president JD Vance Sommé Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreementotherwise the United States « Will withdraw » of the process. The American vice-president suggested « Freeze territorial lines at a level close to what they are today ». « This means that Ukrainians and Russians must both abandon part of the territory they currently have »he added. « We will have to carry out territorial exchanges. »

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said it was not an ultimatum. « The United States is continuing its mediation efforts, and we (in) congratulate ourselves »he said. President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted him on the need to have a cease-fire « Immediate, complete and unconditional » in Ukraine upstream of peace negotiations.

London repeated that it belonged « It is up to Ukraine to decide its future ». The French presidency said that the« Territorial integrity » of Ukraine was a « Very strong requirement » Europeans.

On the ground, the Russian air attacks resumed in Ukraine following a brief truce of Easter. Nine people were killed and 32 injured in a Russian drone attack on a bus in Marganets, southeast of Ukraine.

Kyiv and its European allies are demanding a complete return from Ukraine in its borders before 2014, a position that the United States Minister Pete Hegseth had qualified in February as« unrealistic ». In London, discussions were held at a level lower than that which was initially planned. They were to register in the wake of those which took place in Paris last week but the Foreign Office announced on Wednesday morning a « Report » Talks at the level of foreign ministers, discussions standing at the level of leading advisers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week in Paris that he would go to London if he considered him useful. It was ultimately the special emissary for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, who made the trip. France was represented by Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic advisor of President Emmanuel Macron.

On the Ukrainian side, the head of the presidential administration Andriï Iermak, the chief of diplomacy Andriï Sybiga and the Minister of Defense Roustem Oumerov were present. The latter two met their British counterparts David Lammy and John Healey on the sidelines of the meeting.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin warned against any precipitation in discussions aimed at obtaining a cease-fire more than three years after the Russian invasion. Donald Trump said Sunday hoping for an agreement « In the week » Between Moscow and Kyiv. Meanwhile, the American emissary Steve Witkoff is planning a trip to Moscow this week, according to the White House and the Kremlin, without the date being specified.

According to the Financial TimesVladimir Putin proposed to Steve Witkoff in early April to stop his invasion and freeze the current front line if the United States accesses its major demands, such as the recognition of Russia’s sovereignty on the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014, and Ukraine’s non-adhesion. « Many false information is published at the moment »reacted the Kremlin.

In addition, Beijing denounced Wednesday « Based accusations » After Ukraine said that Chinese soldiers were fighting in the Russian army and Chinese companies helped Moscow to make military equipment.