Zelenskyy told Witkoff that he would not cede any territory to Russia under any circumstances – Financial Times
The part of Donbas under Ukrainian control remains a key obstacle and the main “red line” in the negotiation process aimed at ending the war. Despite the visit to Kyiv by U.S. President’s Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with updated peace proposals, differences over the region’s future remain fundamental.
This was reported by Financial Times correspondent Christopher Miller, citing sources involved in the negotiations.
According to the publication, the U.S. representatives brought draft peace plans to the Ukrainian capital that merely adapt previous ideas to changes on the front lines since February of this year, but contain few fundamentally new approaches. The key sticking point remains Russia’s demand for the complete withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Donbas region, a position on which Moscow insists.
During the meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically rejected these demands, stating that Ukraine will not cede the Donbas or any of its other territories to Russia under any circumstances. Given the intransigence of both sides, Ukrainian negotiators have expressed doubt that hostilities can be halted before winter sets in. In this regard, the meetings also discussed measures to assist Kyiv in getting through the winter amid the risk of intensified Russian strikes on infrastructure.
Source: Christopher Miller on X.
Talks took place in Kyiv between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and representatives of the U.S. President, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelenskyy announced the start of the meeting on his Telegram channel, without providing any details of the conversation at this time.
Following the meeting in Kyiv, Witkoff announced peace talks in a Ukraine-Europe-U.S. format.
In addition to issues regarding the cessation of hostilities and security guarantees, the parties discussed the country’s post-war recovery and the mobilization of resources for reconstruction, as well as economic guarantees designed to prevent another war from breaking out.
