Zelensky-Trump meeting: Details of the Russian plan to end the war
In a significant diplomatic development that could alter the course of the conflict in Eastern Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday that he had reached an agreement to hold a high-level meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump in the near future. This announcement comes at a highly sensitive time, as Kyiv seeks to secure its negotiating position to end the ongoing war with Russia .
Zelenskyy confirmed via his official social media accounts that the upcoming meeting could produce crucial decisions before the New Year, indicating an acceleration of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has plagued the European continent.
Details of the new US peace plan
In preparation for this meeting, the Ukrainian president revealed details of the revised version of the American plan to end the war, which had been the subject of intensive negotiations between Washington and Kyiv for weeks. This plan is characterized by its practicality on the ground, as it calls for a freeze in fighting and a ceasefire along the current front lines.
Under this proposal, a final settlement regarding the territories controlled by Russian forces, estimated at approximately 19% of Ukraine's total area, will not be reached immediately. This shift reflects a strategic move toward prioritizing the cessation of human casualties, prompting Zelensky to call for an urgent summit to discuss these arrangements.
Fundamental changes and Moscow's position
What distinguishes the new version of the plan from its predecessors is the removal of two conditions that were considered red lines for Moscow, potentially opening a crack in Russia's wall of rejection. The amendments included:
- Cancel the demand for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the areas they still control in the Donbas region.
- Dropping the legal obligation that prevents Kyiv from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Despite these modifications, observers believe that Moscow’s approval is not guaranteed, given its adherence to the strategic goals it declared from the beginning of the “special military operation.”.
Diplomatic activity and Russian secrecy
On the other hand, the Kremlin is treating these moves with extreme caution. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that telephone conversations had taken place between the Russian and American sides, and that an agreement had been reached to continue the dialogue. However, Peskov declined to disclose details of these talks, explaining that “release of information could harm the negotiation process,” reflecting the sensitivity of the current situation.
For her part, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described progress toward ending the war as “slow but steady,” indicating that diplomatic solutions were beginning to take precedence over military operations.
Historical context and international significance
This meeting is of exceptional importance given the historical context of the conflict that erupted in February 2022, triggering the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, as well as its global economic repercussions on energy and food prices. The international community, particularly European countries, is closely watching the outcome of this meeting, as any agreement between Zelensky and Trump could reshape Europe's security landscape for decades to come.
The timing of the meeting, coinciding with the imminent arrival of the new US administration, adds political weight to the negotiations, as Trump seeks to fulfill his campaign promises to end foreign wars, while Ukraine seeks security guarantees to protect its sovereignty in the future.
