According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States has offered Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan, although he would prefer a commitment of up to 50 years to deter Russia from seizing its neighbor’s land by force. U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Zelenskyy at his Florida resort and emphasized the progress towards a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia.
Key issues in the negotiations include the withdrawal of forces from Ukraine and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of security guarantees in ending the war, while Russia claimed its forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia region.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a meeting in Paris in early January to finalize each country’s contributions to the security guarantees. Zelenskyy aims to have the peace plan approved by Ukrainians in a national referendum, but a ceasefire of at least 60 days is required for a ballot to take place.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Ukrainians remain skeptical about Putin’s sincerity and the prospects for peace. One military veteran expressed distrust towards Putin, citing the sacrifices made by Ukrainian forces. A student acknowledged the challenges faced by Zelenskyy in negotiations but expressed hope for progress in the future.
Russia’s claim of an attack on Putin’s residence in Novgorod region was dismissed by Zelenskyy as a lie. The Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine used drones in the attack, but all drones were destroyed with no casualties. AP journalists in Kyiv contributed to this report.
