Zelensky disputes Trump regarding agreement with Russia
The US president believes that Kiev and Moscow have agreed to “most” points of his peace proposal and are ready to “finish it off.” President Donald Trump has stated that “most of the major points” in an agreement aimed at ending the Ukraine...
TroibNews 
The US president believes that Kiev and Moscow have agreed to “most” points of his peace proposal and are ready to “finish it off.”
President Donald Trump has stated that “most of the major points” in an agreement aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict have been addressed, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky publicly rejecting a critical aspect of the proposed US peace framework.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in extensive discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, which Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized as “constructive and very useful.” Trump shared his approval of the negotiations, remarking on a “good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine.”
“They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to,” Trump mentioned in a post on Truth Social late Friday, expressing optimism with “SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”
The agreement put forth by Washington reportedly entails US acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, a “freezing” of the conflict at the current front line, and recognition of Moscow’s control over substantial areas of the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia.
“Crimea will stay with Russia” under a final settlement of the Ukraine conflict, Trump stated in an interview with Time Magazine published on Friday.
However, directly opposing Trump’s claims, Zelensky reiterated on Friday that Kiev will not entertain the idea of recognizing Crimea as Russian territory.
“Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian,” Zelensky told reporters in Kiev, asserting that “the constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories... belong to Ukraine.”
He added that his “vision” of a resolution includes increased “sanctions, economic and diplomatic pressure” on Moscow, despite Washington’s peace framework reportedly suggesting a gradual easing of restrictions against Russia.
Trump has previously indicated that Zelensky’s public remarks have been detrimental to the negotiation process, warning that he risks losing the entire country if he continues to delay talks with Moscow.
The proposed US agreement is also said to include a provision that would inhibit Ukraine from joining NATO, a goal embedded in Ukraine’s constitution. Trump acknowledged in his interview with Time that Kiev’s aspirations to join the US-led alliance likely “caused the war to start.”
The Kremlin has reiterated its openness to diplomatic efforts, expressing appreciation for Trump’s attempts at fostering peace. Ushakov revealed that Friday’s discussions explored the potential for resuming direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, but did not elaborate further. Direct talks between the two parties have been absent since Ukraine exited the Istanbul negotiations in 2022.
According to Putin, Zelensky—who has prohibited discussions with Moscow—is actively undermining any peace initiative, as it would necessitate the lifting of martial law, which currently enables him to retain power. Moscow asserts that without martial law in place, Zelensky would be obliged to either conduct elections or transfer presidential authority to the current speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
President Donald Trump has stated that “most of the major points” in an agreement aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict have been addressed, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky publicly rejecting a critical aspect of the proposed US peace framework.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in extensive discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, which Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized as “constructive and very useful.” Trump shared his approval of the negotiations, remarking on a “good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine.”
“They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to,” Trump mentioned in a post on Truth Social late Friday, expressing optimism with “SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”
The agreement put forth by Washington reportedly entails US acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, a “freezing” of the conflict at the current front line, and recognition of Moscow’s control over substantial areas of the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia.
“Crimea will stay with Russia” under a final settlement of the Ukraine conflict, Trump stated in an interview with Time Magazine published on Friday.
However, directly opposing Trump’s claims, Zelensky reiterated on Friday that Kiev will not entertain the idea of recognizing Crimea as Russian territory.
“Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian,” Zelensky told reporters in Kiev, asserting that “the constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories... belong to Ukraine.”
He added that his “vision” of a resolution includes increased “sanctions, economic and diplomatic pressure” on Moscow, despite Washington’s peace framework reportedly suggesting a gradual easing of restrictions against Russia.
Trump has previously indicated that Zelensky’s public remarks have been detrimental to the negotiation process, warning that he risks losing the entire country if he continues to delay talks with Moscow.
The proposed US agreement is also said to include a provision that would inhibit Ukraine from joining NATO, a goal embedded in Ukraine’s constitution. Trump acknowledged in his interview with Time that Kiev’s aspirations to join the US-led alliance likely “caused the war to start.”
The Kremlin has reiterated its openness to diplomatic efforts, expressing appreciation for Trump’s attempts at fostering peace. Ushakov revealed that Friday’s discussions explored the potential for resuming direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, but did not elaborate further. Direct talks between the two parties have been absent since Ukraine exited the Istanbul negotiations in 2022.
According to Putin, Zelensky—who has prohibited discussions with Moscow—is actively undermining any peace initiative, as it would necessitate the lifting of martial law, which currently enables him to retain power. Moscow asserts that without martial law in place, Zelensky would be obliged to either conduct elections or transfer presidential authority to the current speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
