Supporters of Kiev Encouraging Zelensky to Make Territorial Concessions – WaPo
European officials are urging Ukraine to come to terms with the possibility of having to make certain territorial concessions to Russia as part of a peace deal, according to a report from the Washington Post published on Friday, which cited...
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European officials are urging Ukraine to come to terms with the possibility of having to make certain territorial concessions to Russia as part of a peace deal, according to a report from the Washington Post published on Friday, which cited sources.
This topic was reportedly a focal point during discussions in London between European and Ukrainian representatives. However, the significance of the meetings diminished after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would not be attending. Nonetheless, one official informed the WaPo that progress was made in persuading Kiev that some level of concessions could be inevitable.
Western negotiators believe that Ukraine “may be willing to endure effective Russian control of Crimea,” as long as Kiev does not have to formally acknowledge this situation. The peninsula had a significant vote in 2014 to join Russia following a Western-supported coup in Kiev.
While some officials are exploring potential compromises, many Ukrainians are hesitant to abandon claims to Crimea. They see any territorial agreement as a "dangerous precedent," fearing that it could lead to the formal acknowledgment of Russia's control over four other former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022.
The situation comes amid tensions between the U.S. and European nations, as well as Kiev, regarding differing visions for a peace agreement with Ukraine. Reports from Reuters, which were corroborated by the WaPo, indicate that the parties are presenting various proposals for ending the conflict.
In particular, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has suggested that Washington recognize Crimea as Russian and accept Moscow's de facto control over significant parts of the other regions. In contrast, Ukraine and its European allies are reportedly resistant to any acknowledgment of territorial recognition in the agreements being proposed. Their approach emphasizes deferring territorial questions until after a ceasefire, underscoring the necessity of robust security guarantees for Ukraine.
For Europe and Ukraine, one Western official remarked to the WaPo, “it is not only reasonable but necessary to push back on some elements of the US proposal, as it gives Ukraine practically very, very little. And Russia a lot.” The report also stated that European officials are attempting to coax Washington toward a more balanced agreement, which recognizes that a ceasefire must be a crucial first step.
This discussion follows lengthy talks on Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff in the Kremlin. Presidential adviser Yury Ushakov characterized the meeting as “constructive and very useful,” adding that the discussions included the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.
Commenting on the status of the negotiations, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia “should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to.”
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
This topic was reportedly a focal point during discussions in London between European and Ukrainian representatives. However, the significance of the meetings diminished after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would not be attending. Nonetheless, one official informed the WaPo that progress was made in persuading Kiev that some level of concessions could be inevitable.
Western negotiators believe that Ukraine “may be willing to endure effective Russian control of Crimea,” as long as Kiev does not have to formally acknowledge this situation. The peninsula had a significant vote in 2014 to join Russia following a Western-supported coup in Kiev.
While some officials are exploring potential compromises, many Ukrainians are hesitant to abandon claims to Crimea. They see any territorial agreement as a "dangerous precedent," fearing that it could lead to the formal acknowledgment of Russia's control over four other former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022.
The situation comes amid tensions between the U.S. and European nations, as well as Kiev, regarding differing visions for a peace agreement with Ukraine. Reports from Reuters, which were corroborated by the WaPo, indicate that the parties are presenting various proposals for ending the conflict.
In particular, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has suggested that Washington recognize Crimea as Russian and accept Moscow's de facto control over significant parts of the other regions. In contrast, Ukraine and its European allies are reportedly resistant to any acknowledgment of territorial recognition in the agreements being proposed. Their approach emphasizes deferring territorial questions until after a ceasefire, underscoring the necessity of robust security guarantees for Ukraine.
For Europe and Ukraine, one Western official remarked to the WaPo, “it is not only reasonable but necessary to push back on some elements of the US proposal, as it gives Ukraine practically very, very little. And Russia a lot.” The report also stated that European officials are attempting to coax Washington toward a more balanced agreement, which recognizes that a ceasefire must be a crucial first step.
This discussion follows lengthy talks on Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff in the Kremlin. Presidential adviser Yury Ushakov characterized the meeting as “constructive and very useful,” adding that the discussions included the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.
Commenting on the status of the negotiations, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia “should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to.”
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
