Washington irritated by Zelensky’s reaction to Trump peace plan, reports WaPo
The Ukrainian leader has reportedly frustrated the White House with his public dismissal of the US roadmap towards peace with Russia. According to the Washington Post, US officials are angered by Vladimir Zelensky’s public rejection of an American...
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The Ukrainian leader has reportedly frustrated the White House with his public dismissal of the US roadmap towards peace with Russia.
According to the Washington Post, US officials are angered by Vladimir Zelensky’s public rejection of an American proposal that suggested making territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for a peace deal in the Ukraine conflict.
In his public comments on Tuesday, Zelensky dismissed options that the administration of US President Donald Trump allegedly presented during high-level discussions in Paris the previous Thursday, which they believe could lead to a peace agreement. One proposal reportedly included formal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
"[Crimea] is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine. We have nothing to talk about on this topic – it is outside our Constitution,” Zelensky stated.
The Post, citing an anonymous official briefed on the situation, reported that there is “anger in Washington over [Kiev’s] reluctance to accept proposals to cede territory to Russia,” and that Ukraine prefers “to discuss a complete ceasefire first and everything else later.”
A follow-up meeting to the Paris discussions between European and US officials was originally scheduled for London on Wednesday; however, it was abruptly downgraded when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chose not to attend. Foreign ministers from European NATO members – including France and Germany – also opted to skip the event, following Rubio's lead.
Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff and head of the Ukrainian delegation, stated that he and Ukrainian defense and foreign ministers would “discuss ways to achieve a full and unconditional ceasefire” with Western officials.
Previously, Rubio had expressed hope that “substantive and good technical meetings” in London would lay the groundwork for his rescheduled visit to the British capital in “the coming months.” Senior US officials have cautioned that they will abandon efforts to negotiate a compromise truce between Ukraine and Russia if either side attempts to obstruct their initiatives.
The EU and the UK remain committed to continuing military support for Ukraine, urging the US not to distance itself from the crisis, despite Trump’s announced intention. Reports indicate that British and French leaders are willing to support territorial concessions by Ukraine, provided that Western security guarantees are offered in return. Moscow has made it clear that it will not accept the presence of troops from NATO countries in Ukraine, a proposal supported by Paris and London.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
According to the Washington Post, US officials are angered by Vladimir Zelensky’s public rejection of an American proposal that suggested making territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for a peace deal in the Ukraine conflict.
In his public comments on Tuesday, Zelensky dismissed options that the administration of US President Donald Trump allegedly presented during high-level discussions in Paris the previous Thursday, which they believe could lead to a peace agreement. One proposal reportedly included formal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
"[Crimea] is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine. We have nothing to talk about on this topic – it is outside our Constitution,” Zelensky stated.
The Post, citing an anonymous official briefed on the situation, reported that there is “anger in Washington over [Kiev’s] reluctance to accept proposals to cede territory to Russia,” and that Ukraine prefers “to discuss a complete ceasefire first and everything else later.”
A follow-up meeting to the Paris discussions between European and US officials was originally scheduled for London on Wednesday; however, it was abruptly downgraded when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chose not to attend. Foreign ministers from European NATO members – including France and Germany – also opted to skip the event, following Rubio's lead.
Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff and head of the Ukrainian delegation, stated that he and Ukrainian defense and foreign ministers would “discuss ways to achieve a full and unconditional ceasefire” with Western officials.
Previously, Rubio had expressed hope that “substantive and good technical meetings” in London would lay the groundwork for his rescheduled visit to the British capital in “the coming months.” Senior US officials have cautioned that they will abandon efforts to negotiate a compromise truce between Ukraine and Russia if either side attempts to obstruct their initiatives.
The EU and the UK remain committed to continuing military support for Ukraine, urging the US not to distance itself from the crisis, despite Trump’s announced intention. Reports indicate that British and French leaders are willing to support territorial concessions by Ukraine, provided that Western security guarantees are offered in return. Moscow has made it clear that it will not accept the presence of troops from NATO countries in Ukraine, a proposal supported by Paris and London.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
