Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the guiding “principles” of a revised US proposal to end the conflict with Russia could form the basis of “broader accords” and noted that “much now hinges” on Washington, reports RTE.
“The principles of this document can be expanded into deeper agreements,” Mr Zelensky said in his daily address, reports RTE.
“I am counting on further active cooperation with the American side and with President (Donald) Trump. Much depends on America, because Russia pays the greatest attention to American strength,” he said, reports RTE.
President Zelensky also informed partners that Ukraine is prepared to “advance” using the new “framework”, though he stressed there were still “sensitive points” he wished to discuss with Mr Trump, reports RTE.
“Ukraine has the framework developed by our teams in Geneva. That framework is on the table, and we’re ready to move forward together,” Mr Zelensky told leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of roughly 30 Ukraine-supporting nations, according to a copy of his speech, reports RTE.
“And I am ready to meet with President Trump, there are sensitive points to discuss, we have them still,” the text said, reports RTE.
President Trump earlier stated that a deal was “very close”, reports RTE.
Mr Trump, visibly irritated that he has not fulfilled last year’s campaign pledge to swiftly end the war, insisted that “we’re getting very close to a deal”, reports RTE.
An initial US blueprint that significantly favoured Russia has now been revised to reflect more of Ukraine’s priorities.
However, US officials admitted that several “delicate” matters are still unresolved, reports RTE.
French President Emmanuel Macron rejected suggestions of a quick breakthrough, saying there is “clearly no Russian willingness” to accept a ceasefire or consider the more Ukraine-aligned proposal, reports RTE.
Intense negotiations have taken place since the weekend, when Ukrainian and US representatives met in Geneva to examine Mr Trump’s original 28-point peace outline, reports RTE.
The most recent talks involving US and Russian delegates were being held in Abu Dhabi, according to US media.
Leaders from the 30-nation alliance backing Ukraine also convened via video link, reports RTE.
US negotiator Dan Driscoll appeared positive after meeting Russian officials. His spokesman said: “The talks are going well and we remain optimistic”, reports RTE.
The White House reported “tremendous progress,” yet warned there remain “a few delicate but not insurmountable details that must be sorted out”, reports RTE.
A senior Ukrainian negotiator said Kyiv hopes Presidents Zelensky and Trump can meet this week for continued discussions on ending the war.
“We look forward to organising a visit by the President of Ukraine to the United States at the earliest possible date in November,” Ukrainian security council secretary Rustem Umerov said on Telegram, reports RTE.
Underscoring the urgency for Ukraine, its capital Kyiv endured heavy missile and drone strikes overnight that killed at least seven people, forcing residents to shelter underground in winter clothing, some in tents.
US policy on the war in Ukraine has shifted repeatedly in recent months, reports RTE.
A quickly arranged summit between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August heightened concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Washington might concede to major Russian demands, though it ultimately led to stronger US pressure on Moscow.
The newest US peace proposal — a 28-point plan revealed last week — surprised many in Washington, Kyiv, and European capitals, raising fears that the Trump administration could push Ukraine toward accepting a settlement heavily skewed toward Moscow, reports RTE.
The proposal would force Kyiv to relinquish more territory, accept limits on its military, and permanently abandon NATO membership — terms Ukraine has repeatedly described as equivalent to capitulation.
The abrupt US initiative increases pressure on Mr Zelensky, who is facing his most precarious moment since 2022 following a corruption scandal that removed two ministers, while Russia advances on the battlefield, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky said yesterday that the updated peace proposal now contains several “correct” elements after discussions in Geneva, although some sensitive matters remain to be addressed with Mr Trump, reports RTE.
“As of now, after Geneva, there are fewer points, no longer 28, and many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, reports RTE.
“Our team has already reported today on the new draft of steps and this is truly the right approach. The sensitive issues, the most delicate points, I will discuss with President Trump,” he added, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky noted that finalising a complete document will be challenging. The Kremlin said it had no comment yet regarding the reported Abu Dhabi talks, reports RTE.
“Currently, the only substantive thing is the American project, the Trump project,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “We believe that this could become a very good basis for negotiations”, reports RTE.
The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, said the US peace plan for Ukraine is troubling because it is “very transactional” and focuses on land rather than people, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr O’Flaherty said he has been uneasy since peace discussions began earlier this year, often without Ukrainian participation.
“It was about land. It wasn’t about people. A peace that isn’t about people and their dignity and showing them respect is a peace that ultimately is not going to be successful,” he said, reports RTE.
He cited the Good Friday Agreement as an example of a durable settlement grounded in respect for human rights.
“The same with the Dayton Peace Agreement for all its flaws in Bosnia-Herzegovina, these places would have fallen back into conflict again, were it not for the fact that human beings and human welfare, human dignity and justice were put at the heart of the eventual settlements,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr O’Flaherty added that very few women appear to be taking part in the peace negotiations, despite evidence showing that their inclusion leads to stronger, more lasting agreements.
“That’s the long wisdom of the United Nations. For years now, there’s been a push to promote the role of women in peacemaking,” he said, reports RTE.
“The absence from the UN at the heart of the discussion at the table means that aspects such as this appear to be neglected,” he said, reports RTE.
He said that although he is not privy to the closed-door talks in Geneva, he has not “seen a single image of a single woman”, reports RTE.
“And we know that if women are at the table, we end up having better, more enduring peace outcomes,” he said, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
