Ukraine Edges Closer to Peace Deal with Russia as Zelenskiy Meets Trump in Crucial Talks
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Kiev, Ukraine - In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that Ukraine is ready to advance a U.S.-backed framework for ending the war with Russia. The framework, which has been the subject of intense negotiations, aims to bring a definitive end to the conflict that has ravaged Ukraine since 2022. According to sources, Zelenskiy plans to discuss disputed points with U.S. President Donald Trump, which could be a crucial step towards reaching a peace deal. However, Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns over territorial concessions, which remain a major sticking point. The U.S. and Russian officials have been engaged in talks over the past week, with the U.S. Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has expressed optimism over the progress made, stating that the U.S. has made 'tremendous progress' towards a peace deal. Despite the progress, the road to a peace deal remains fraught with challenges. The Ukrainian capital, Kiev, was hit by a barrage of Russian missiles and drones overnight, killing seven people and disrupting power and heating systems. Zelenskiy's visit to the U.S. in the coming days could be a crucial factor in finalizing a deal with Trump. However, any optimism could be short-lived, as Russia has stressed that it will not let any deal stray too far from its own maximum objectives. The U.S. policy towards the war has been subject to fluctuations in recent months, with the Trump administration's approach being viewed with skepticism by Kyiv and European capitals. The 28-point plan that emerged last week has raised concerns that the Trump administration might be willing to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal heavily tilted towards Moscow. The fate of the peace deal hangs in the balance as Zelenskiy struggles to get Ukrainians to swallow a deal viewed as selling out their interests. Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has warned that any amended peace plan must reflect the 'spirit and letter' of the understanding reached between Putin and Trump at their Alaska summit.
