By Gloria Ogbonna
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published Monday that negotiations with the United States over a potential end to Russia’s invasion have been “constructive,” but he cautioned that major unresolved issues especially Europe’s stance — still stand in the way of a final agreement. His remarks highlighted deep divisions among Ukraine’s Western allies at a pivotal moment in the American-led peace effort.
According to Bloomberg News, Zelensky stressed that while U.S. discussions are moving forward, the broader picture remains incomplete.
“We are talking to the U.S. — it is constructive work,” he said. “But there are questions that concern Europe — and we cannot decide for Europe. We need to discuss with Europe Ukraine’s membership in the EU, which is also part of security guarantees.”
Zelensky is spending the day in London meeting with European leaders who, despite being critical stakeholders in Ukraine’s future, have played only a minor role in the Trump administration’s peace negotiations.
Last month, President Donald Trump’s White House reportedly presented Moscow and Kyiv with a 28-point peace plan — later revised to 20 points — which would require Ukraine to concede territory already occupied by Russia in exchange for guarantees that Moscow will halt further aggression.
While the U.S. is pushing for a rapid diplomatic resolution, Zelensky signaled that Europe remains one of the biggest obstacles. “After that, we will have our joint vision,” he said. “And I am ready to fly to the U.S. if the president is ready for such a meeting.”
Zelensky Demands Clear Security Guarantees
One of Zelensky’s central concerns is the question of long-term security guarantees. The issue is especially sensitive for Ukraine because Russia’s invasion beginning with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 followed the failure of Western governments to uphold promises made in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.
Under that agreement, Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., the U.K., and Russia — guarantees that ultimately proved empty.
“There is one question I — and all Ukrainians — want to get an answer to: if Russia again starts a war, what will our partners do?” Zelensky asked.
The fate of the Donbas region also remains unresolved. Donetsk and Luhansk, both heavily targeted and partly occupied by Russia during the 2022 expansion of the war, remain points of deep disagreement between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington. “There are visions of the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine — and we don’t have a unified view on Donbas,” Zelensky admitted.
Tensions Rise After Trump Says Zelensky Has Not Read the Peace Draft
Zelensky’s comments follow President Trump’s Sunday claim that he was “a little bit disappointed” because the Ukrainian leader had not yet read the latest version of the draft peace proposal.
“His people love it,” Trump said of the American plan. “But he hasn’t. Russia is fine with it… I believe Russia is fine with it, but I’m not sure Zelensky is. His people love it, but he hasn’t read it.”
Rustem Umerov, a senior Ukrainian negotiator, responded indirectly on Monday, stating that Ukraine’s priority was obtaining full details from the American delegation, including information from their recent talks in Moscow. “We are working as intensively as possible,” he said — but did not deny that Zelensky remained unfamiliar with the full text.
Zelensky addressed the peace process again in a video message on Sunday, emphasizing that “Ukraine deserves a dignified peace” and insisting that Russia must be held accountable for its destruction of Ukrainian cities and its terror attacks on civilians.
“Whether there will be peace depends entirely on Russia,” he said, calling for continued pressure from the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine’s global partners.
Behind the Scenes: Talks with Kushner and Witkoff
Zelensky also revealed that he held a “long and substantive” meeting with Trump’s top negotiators, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The two recently returned from Moscow, where they held direct talks with Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described those meetings as “detailed,” though he refused to disclose Russia’s demands, saying Moscow first needs to “understand” Ukraine’s position.
Russia Intensifies Assaults as Diplomacy Continues
Even as diplomatic channels remain open, Russia has escalated its attacks dramatically. Over the weekend, Ukraine’s air force reported a massive barrage of more than 653 drones and 51 missiles targeting Kyiv, Lviv, and energy infrastructure across the country — threatening to plunge civilians into darkness during the harsh winter months.
On Monday, Russia’s state outlet Tass claimed Moscow’s forces had “liberated” multiple communities in Donetsk over the previous 24 hours, signaling intensified ground operations in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky’s comments make clear that while American involvement is strong and ongoing, the path to a unified peace agreement remains complicated and hinges on Europe clarifying its commitments, Russia scaling back its aggression, and Ukraine ensuring that any deal includes meaningful and enforceable protections for its sovereignty and security.
Source Breitbrat
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