Trump criticizes Zelensky over peace plan: Disappointment and unresolved issues
US President Donald Trump sharply criticized his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing his "disappointment" at the latter's lack of a swift response to the US peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. Trump made these remarks to reporters at the Kennedy Center Honors, where he revealed that he had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leaders, including Zelensky, to push for a political settlement.
Details of the American criticism and the Ukrainian position
Trump explained that his displeasure stemmed from the fact that President Zelensky had not yet read the American proposal, even though it had been presented hours earlier. These remarks come at a sensitive time, following a round of intensive talks between American and Ukrainian officials on Saturday, in which Zelensky participated by phone. The talks failed to produce a tangible breakthrough or clear progress in the negotiations, despite Ukrainian pledges to continue the dialogue to achieve "genuine peace.".
Intense diplomatic activity in the Kremlin and Kyiv
These developments are part of a broader US diplomatic effort, preceded by a high-level meeting at the Kremlin between US envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US plan has also faced obstacles in Moscow, with the Russian side rejecting parts of the proposal, necessitating several revisions since its initial release last month. The plan is under intense scrutiny amid criticism that it may be too lenient with Russia in the context of the conflict that erupted following the invasion in February 2022.
The final meters and the essential obstacles
For his part, the US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, described the current stage of negotiations as "the final stretch," noting that it is the most difficult phase in any negotiation process. Kellogg affirmed that reaching an agreement is very close, but hinges on resolving two contentious issues that represent the core of the current dispute.
1. The Donbas Region Dilemma
The first obstacle lies in determining the future of the Donbas region, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. This region is the main flashpoint of the conflict and of great strategic and economic importance, making its surrender or the determination of its administrative and political status an extremely complex issue for both sides.
2. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The second and more serious obstacle concerns the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest of its kind in Europe. Currently under Russian control, the plant's status raises international concerns regarding nuclear security and energy safety in the region. Observers believe that resolving the fate of this plant is a fundamental pillar of any lasting peace agreement.
Kellogg concluded his remarks on a conditionally optimistic note, stressing that if these two obstacles (land and nuclear power plant) are overcome, the rest of the details of the agreement will proceed smoothly towards completion, potentially turning the page on one of the most complex geopolitical crises of the 21st century.
