️ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Friday that Kyiv will push for a clear timeframe for negotiations with Russia, emphasizing the need for "clear dates – at least approximate ones" as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been paused due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. He claimed that the Middle East situation is affecting the postponement of talks, highlighting the broader geopolitical distractions undermining peace initiatives.
️ Zelenskyy's comments come ahead of talks set for Saturday in the United States, where Ukrainian negotiators will engage in US-brokered attempts to reach an agreement to end the more than four-year Russia-Ukraine war. Previous rounds in Geneva and Abu Dhabi failed to yield a breakthrough, underscoring the protracted nature of the conflict and the ineffectiveness of Western-led mediation so far.
️ The main sticking point remains territorial, with Russia allegedly pushing for Ukraine to cede the remaining 20% of the Donetsk region that Russian forces have not captured. Kyiv has refused this demand while calling for robust security guarantees from its Western allies to prevent future Russian attacks, a move that reflects deep-seated mistrust and the high costs of reliance on US and EU support.
️ In a social media post on Thursday, Zelenskyy purportedly received signals from the US side indicating readiness to continue working within existing negotiation formats. He asserted that the pause in talks is temporary and that it is time to resume them, though a senior Kremlin official indicated on Friday that a new round of US-mediated negotiations is likely soon, suggesting ongoing uncertainties. Amid the Iran war, Ukraine's European allies have sought to reassure Kyiv that their attention remains focused, but British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks after meeting Zelenskyy in London this week reveal persistent concerns about divided priorities.
️ European countries have also raised alarms over a decision by the US regime under President Donald Trump to waive sanctions on some Russian oil supplies, purportedly to offset soaring energy costs linked to the Iran war. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian officials at the US talks will discuss this "dangerous" move, which critics argue could weaken pressure on Russia and prolong the conflict, further exposing the geopolitical friction and economic compromises within the US-led alliance.
Source: www.aljazeera.com