The upcoming peace talks, set to take place in Saudi Arabia, bring together Ukrainian and US officials to negotiate a potential ceasefire and address ongoing hostilities.
**Zelensky Urges Russia to Drop Excessive Demands Ahead of Peace Negotiations**
**Zelensky Urges Russia to Drop Excessive Demands Ahead of Peace Negotiations**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls for Russia to cease unrealistic demands as peace talks loom, emphasizing the need for concrete terms and military support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russia to abandon its "unnecessary" demands in advance of critical peace talks scheduled for next Monday in Saudi Arabia. The discussions will involve representatives from both Ukraine and the United States, with the Kremlin also confirming that US-Russia dialogues will occur on the same day.
Zelensky asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin must "stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war," as Moscow continues to push for a complete cessation of military aid to Ukraine. During these tense negotiations, Zelensky emphasized that removing NATO membership for Ukraine from the table, which Putin has insisted is non-negotiable, would be a significant concession that could benefit Russia.
Zelensky denied claims circulated by White House officials suggesting he considered relinquishing control of Ukraine's nuclear facilities to the US during a conversation with former President Donald Trump. He reaffirmed that all nuclear assets in Ukraine belong to the Ukrainian populace, although he did express openness to the US taking control of the Zaporizhia power plant—currently under Russian occupation—for modernization efforts.
Despite tentative agreements for a ceasefire formulated during discussions with the US, efforts to solidify these terms have faced obstacles, primarily due to diverging conditions. While both leaders have agreed in principle, practical implementation remains elusive. Zelensky stated that a delegation from Ukraine would deliver a list of infrastructure requiring protection from Russian assaults at the upcoming talks.
On the issue of territorial concessions, particularly regarding Crimea—which has been under Russian control since 2014—Zelensky firmly stated, "That is a Ukrainian peninsula," reinforcing its recognized status as part of Ukraine.
In a recent agreement struck by Trump and Putin, Russia conceded to halt air strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure; however, actual commitments have been sporadic, with hostilities continuing across the region.
While Zelensky called for European allies to supply military aid, requesting at least €5 billion for artillery shells urgently, he also reiterated the necessity for EU involvement in peace negotiations, emphasizing that pressure on Russia must be maintained despite ongoing dialogues.
Following an intense exchange between Trump and Zelensky regarding military assistance, the White House indicated a temporary pause in aid—a move that was quickly reversed amid continued discussions.
As international leaders engage in strategic planning for post-war Ukraine, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer underscored the need for robust security arrangements to ensure any peace agreement achieved longevity. He declared that the UK and its allies are transitioning from "political momentum" to "military planning," aware that without adequate backing, any agreement could be violated.
In this complex geopolitical landscape, the ongoing conflict remains marked by active military encounters, including recent strikes that resulted in casualties, underscoring the precarious nature of the situation as negotiations progress.
