Trump sees Russia and Ukraine « shortly before an agreement » – DiePresse.com

A Possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine In the opinion of US President Donald Trump, it is not far far away. « They are about to reach an agreement, and the two sides should now meet on a very high level to » finish « , » Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform at night. In the « most important points », it was agreed, Trump said. The Republican called for an immediate end of the « bloodshed ». It was a day with « good conversations » with Russia and Ukraine, said Trump. The US specialist Steve Witkoff had met again on Friday in Moscow with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskij meanwhile announced in his evening video message that not named meetings that are supposed to lead to an ceasefire. « Very important meetings will take place in the coming days – meetings that should bring us closer to Ukraine, » said Selenskij.

Speculation about area aberrations

According to a report by the « New York Times », Kiev worked a counter-proposal to the US plans for the end of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which leaves space for possible compromises. Accordingly, it is not mentioned in the plan that Ukraine fully retains the entire territory confiscated by Russia. Also, Ukraine’s access to NATO would not be insisted. These are two points that were previously considered not negotiable by the Ukrainian side.

Selenskij previously reacted with clear words to a statement by Trump on Russian demands on the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea. « Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian, » said the head of state journalists in Kiev, as the agency Interfax-Ukraine reported. According to the Ukrainian constitution, the areas occupied by Russia continue to belong to Ukraine and there will be no legal recognition of Russian sovereignty.

Trump had said in an interview with the « Time Magazine »: « The Crimea will stay with Russia ». The peninsula was annexed by Moscow in 2014. According to media reports, Ukrainian regional detections on Russia are the subject of ongoing discussions between Moscow and Washington. Selenskij confessed at the same time: « Ukraine does not have enough weapons to get control of the Crimea peninsula with weapons. » But there are opportunities to achieve this using sanctions as well as economic and diplomatic pressure.

Kyiv pulls red lines

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed with the head of state and defined further fundamental positions. Kyiv will never accept any limitation of the armed forces, armaments capacities or foreign military aids. « And thirdly, no third country has a veto law in choosing alliances or alliances for Ukraine, » emphasized Foreign Office spokesman Horhyj Tychyj.

According to « New York Times », the Ukrainian plan is now said: « Ukraine’s joining NATO depends on the consensus between the members of the alliance, » writes the newspaper. Russia vehemently rejects NATO membership of Ukraine. According to the newspaper, Kiev still provides that there are no restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian military. In addition, a “European security quota” supported by the USA should be stationed on Ukrainian territory. Frozen Russian assets are to be used to remedy war damage in Ukraine.

Selenskij continues to urge the USA security guarantees

Despite several opposite statements from Washington, Selenskij continues to expect US security guarantees for his country. « We absolutely want them to be strong, at least as strong as the Israeli, » said the head of state, according to Interfax-Ukraine, journalists in Kiev. He also pushed for the delivery of other “Patriot” aircraft systems from US production.

Selenskij also expects a military presence of the European allies. The “infrastructure” of the security guarantees is being used. « Even where there are European troops, we speak about backing through the United States, » emphasized Selenskij. He discussed with US President Trump that this backing did not necessarily require US troops in Ukraine. A cooperation between the secret services, defense against cyber attacks and air defense was discussed.

Kyiv is committed to western security guarantees before a possible peace conclusion in order to keep Russia from further attacks. Moscow rejects the presence of western troops in the neighboring country. (APA/dpa/Reuters/Red.)

>>> Report of the « New York Times »