The ongoing peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have practically stalled due to a single task. This is the question of how to force Kyiv to completely cede the territory of Donbas to the Kremlin. Politico reported this on Monday, December 8th, citing a high-ranking European official.
US Position: Difficult Choice
A high-ranking European source told Politico that America's position is very clear: "Russia demands that Ukraine be forced to give up its territories - and the Americans are thinking about how to achieve this."
The publication's interviewee said: "The Americans are saying that Ukraine should leave Donbas... no matter what."
In turn, Kyiv strongly demands that any peace agreement include the freezing of hostilities along the current front line.
Zelenskyy's rebuttal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a conversation with journalists on December 8th, expressed his firm position: "Ukraine has neither the legal nor the moral right to relinquish its territories in favor of Russia." He noted that Russia "undoubtedly demands that Ukrainians cede territories."
At the same time, Zelenskyy confirmed that the US is currently "working on finding a compromise solution that satisfies both sides."
According to Reuters, the Russian Federation currently controls 19.2% of Ukraine's territory.
Trump's discontent and mediator status
US President Donald Trump, responding to journalists' questions on December 7th, stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was "somewhat offended that he had not yet read the US's latest peace proposal." At the same time, the American leader stated that he believes Russia would agree to this proposal, although Moscow "would prefer to capture the entire country."
A high-ranking European official interviewed by Politico emphasized the most important question in the current situation: "How will the US behave: as a mediator or as a party taking Russia's side?"
He reminded that Kyiv is still waiting to find out what security guarantees Washington is ready to provide.
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