Kremlin guarantees that with this version of the peace plan “it will simply be impossible to reach a final agreement”
Russia accused Ukraine this Friday of trying to sabotage negotiations to end the conflict between the two countries, saying that the new text presented by Kiev is “radically different” from what Moscow had negotiated with Washington.
“Our ability to give the final push and reach an agreement depends on our work and the political will of the other side. Especially in a context in which Kiev and its supporters, particularly within the European Union, who are not in favor of an agreement, have redoubled their efforts to sabotage it”, criticized Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Speaking to Russian television, the official pointed to Moscow’s usual argument about “an adequate resolution of the problems that are at the root of this crisis”, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, without which, he argued, “it will simply be impossible to reach a final agreement”.
Ryabkov called for adherence to the negotiating framework established by Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump last August in Alaska, insisting that otherwise “no agreement can be reached.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the revised version of the North American plan on Wednesday, following rounds of negotiations last week.
The first version of the White House’s proposal, known for more than a month and with 28 points, included Moscow’s main demands, including territorial concessions from Ukraine, which would have to give up its military plans and membership in NATO.
The revised 20-point version proposes a freeze on the front lines without offering an immediate solution to territorial issues.
Furthermore, the text abandons two essential demands from the Kremlin: the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbass region, in the east of the country, and a legally binding commitment from Ukraine not to join NATO.
“This plan, if we can call it that, differs radically from the points we have developed in recent weeks, since the beginning of December, in collaboration with the American side”, commented the Russian deputy minister this Friday.
The Ukrainian President announced this Friday that he will possibly meet on Sunday, in Florida, with Donald Trump, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, within the scope of the peace plan.
The announcement came after Zelensky said on Thursday that he had had a “good conversation” with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed that Moscow maintains contacts with representatives from the United States, after Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev recently met with North American interlocutors in Florida.
Although Russian diplomacy spoke of “slow but steady progress” in the talks, Moscow did not indicate readiness to withdraw forces from the occupied areas
