On Sunday, 28 December, U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and met with Vladimir Zelensky. The parties continued discussions on issues related to the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Following the talks, Trump stated that agreement had been reached on a number of positions, but “one or two thorny issues” remain. According to Vladimir Zelensky, the conflict settlement plan is 90% agreed upon. The Kremlin emphasized that ending the hostilities requires a bold political decision from Kiev.
Anchorage understandings. What's the Kremlin's take?
The phone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States took place on the evening of 28 December. As TASS reported, the talks were the first in the past two and a half months and the ninth since the beginning of the year.
Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov stated that the phone call was organized at the initiative of the U.S. side ahead of Trump's meeting with Zelensky. According to Yury Ushakov, the conversation was friendly and businesslike in nature and reflected a mutual interest in achieving a peaceful, long-term settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
“Donald Trump listened attentively to the Russian assessments of the realistic prospects for reaching an agreement, quite detailed arguments from our president regarding the fundamental importance of continuing to be guided by the fundamental Russian-U.S. understandings achieved during the summit in Anchorage and the numerous contacts between representatives of the two administrations. Most importantly, the presidents of Russia and the USA share a broadly similar view that the temporary ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and Europe – under the pretext of holding a referendum or other such measures – would merely prolong the conflict and risk a renewed escalation on the battlefield. A permanent cessation of hostilities requires, first and foremost, a resolute and responsible political decision from Kiev, one that aligns with the ongoing discussions through the Russian-American channel. Given the evolving situation on the front lines, it would be in the Ukrainian regime’s interest to make such a decision regarding Donbass without further delay,” Yury Ushakov stated.
He noted that Donald Trump consistently emphasized the urgency of ending the war as soon as possible during their discussion, acknowledging the Ukrainian crisis as his most formidable foreign policy challenge. “Trump said that he now saw renewed proof of Russia’s commitment to a political and diplomatic settlement. It is with this understanding that he intends to frame his forthcoming negotiations with Zelensky,” the Russian presidential aide added.
Yury Ushakov also reported that Putin, in their conversation, agreed to an American proposal to continue addressing the situation around Ukraine through two working groups. “One will address various security issues, and the other, economic matters. The terms for launching these working groups will be finalized in the near future, most likely in early January,” he explained.
“I have no deadlines.” What did Trump say?
Following his conversation with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump hosted Vladimir Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, after which Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky held a joint press conference.
“We had a terrific meeting. We discussed a lot of things. As you know, I had an excellent phone call with President Putin that lasted for over two hours. We discussed a lot of points,” Donald Trump said during a press conference.
The U.S. president reported significant progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and suggested an agreement could be reached within a matter of weeks. However, he acknowledged that the negotiations are very difficult and the settlement process could be protracted. “I have no deadlines,” Donald Trump said.
He noted that one or two thorniest issues remain on the agenda. First is the question of territories. Regarding the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, Donald Trump stated it is 95% resolved. “I don’t like to say percentages; I just think we’re doing very well. We’re very, we could be very close. There are one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues, but I think we are going well,” TASS cited Donald Trump as saying.
The U.S. leader also noted that security guarantees for Ukraine should be provided primarily by Europe, and the USA will assist the Europeans in this matter.
The U.S. president also advised Zelensky to make a deal to resolve the crisis now to avoid losing even more territory. “I think the land you’re talking about, some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months, and you are better off making a deal now,” Donald Trump said.
The American leader also highlighted Russia’s readiness to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction after the conflict ends. “President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices,” Donald Trump said.
During the press conference, the U.S. president effectively rejected allegations from Kiev and European allies regarding Russia's shelling of the Zaporozhie nuclear power plant. “President Putin is actually working with Ukraine on getting it open. He’s been very good in that sense. He wants to see that open, and he is not shelling it with missiles, not shelling it with anything. It is very dangerous for everyone, but they are working together to try to launch it very quickly. It is in fairly good condition,” TASS quoted Donald Trump as saying.
The U.S. president also remarked that he understands Putin’s position, who sees no point in a temporary ceasefire. “This is one of the issues we are working on now,” he said.
The American leader further stated that some issues of a peace settlement could be submitted to a referendum or a parliamentary vote. However, according to Trump, the majority of Ukrainians support the end of hostilities. “I saw a poll in which 91% of respondents supported ending the war,” he said.
“One of the keys to this lock.” What is Zelensky referring to?
Ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump, Vladimir Zelensky said that 90% of the peace plan for Ukraine has already been agreed upon at the level of delegations. The remaining 10% concerns security guarantees, territorial issues, and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. “It is not an easy task, and no one can guarantee that it will be perfect from the start. However, with each meeting and conversation, we move closer to our goal,” Vladimir Zelensky stated.
“Trump’s statement, in which he made it clear that he did not approve of Zelensky’s 20-point plan, essentially shattered the whole communications strategy that the Ukrainian President’s Office had been developing all week,” the Ukrainian publication Strana wrote on the matter. “It is worth remembering that Zelensky had portrayed the plan as being 90% coordinated with the USA, with just a few final touches needed. Thus, Russian opposition to it would frame Putin, not Zelensky, as the one obstructing Trump’s peace initiative, logically requiring the USA to apply strong pressure on Moscow.”
After the meeting with Trump, Zelensky said that security guarantees between the USA and Ukraine were 100% agreed upon. At the same time, during the joint press conference with Trump, Zelensky spoke about the need for a referendum on territorial issues. According to him, “a referendum could be one of the keys to this lock.”
However, besides a referendum, there are other “keys.” According to Zelensky, the parliament could vote on the peace plan without holding a referendum. Simultaneously, Trump stated that, if necessary, he is ready to personally address the Ukrainian parliament if it helps resolve the conflict.
The U.S. president also announced a series of upcoming negotiations on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. Another conversation between Trump and Zelensky is scheduled for 29 December. As for a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, in Trump’s opinion, it is possible, but at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, the U.S. TV channel Fox News reported that yesterday’s talks could lead to the first telephone conversation between Putin and Zelensky in over five years. Organizing negotiations between Kiev and Moscow would mark a major diplomatic win for Trump.
Vita KHANATAYEVA,
Photo courtesy of AP, getty images,
BelTA
Follow us on:
