New Challenges in US-Ukraine Negotiations

Washington and Kyiv continue to face serious discrepancies in negotiations regarding a peace agreement with Russia. The main sticking points involve security guarantees for Ukraine and the US stance on recognizing Russian control over Crimea. 

Source: CNN referencing information from Ukrainian officials familiar with the agreement details. 

According to the source, the positions of the US and Ukraine on key aspects of the future cessation of hostilities agreement are fundamentally different.

Ukraine insists on security guarantees not only from Europe but also from the United States, while the initial US proposal suggested that reliable security assurances would come solely from Europe. 

Additionally, the US proposal to acknowledge Russian control over Crimea is completely unacceptable for Ukraine. 

Ukraine also insists on discussing the issue of territories seized by Russia since the onset of the invasion in 2022 after a ceasefire is reached.

Ukraine's counterproposal, which has also been endorsed by France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, was submitted to Donald Trump's representative on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. It calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from both sides, which is a critical demand from Kyiv before any further actions.

The source stated: "At the same time, Ukraine generally agreed to several provisions of the initial US plan, including: a gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia imposed since 2014 after the peace plan is implemented; Ukraine's refusal to join NATO; freezing the front lines; regaining control over the territory around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant".

Despite the remaining discrepancies, the steps taken by Ukraine for effective participation in negotiations are significant, Ukrainian officials noted.

"The fact that Ukraine is willing to discuss territories is a huge step. But if Trump does not see this as a significant concession, then that is a problem,” the source said.

Background:

• President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on April 25 that Ukraine needs security guarantees from the US as strong as those provided to Israel – on land, in the air, and at sea.
• Earlier, media reported that the Trump administration handed Ukraine a one-page document presented as a "final proposal" for a peace settlement. Among other things, the US is ready to recognize Russia's control over Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow.
• President Zelensky stated on April 24 that the US proposed its strategy regarding Ukraine's territories during negotiations in London, but according to him, after the US proposal, "another paper appeared".